Who is Amritpal Singh? 5 facts about pro-Khalistani leader

Amritpal Singh, the chief of separatist Sikh organisation "Waris Punjab De", was arrested by the Punjab police under the National Security Act on Sunday. Singh, who was arrested from Punjab's Moga, is now being shifted to Assam's Dibrugarh jail where others belonging to his outfit have been lodged.

Reports say that he was trained by the ISI in Georgia before coming to India. A person aware of the intelligence analysis, who did not want to be named, said "During his stay in Dubai, which is a hub for ISI agents, Amritpal Singh was offered money as part of a well-orchestrated plan to revive militancy in Punjab. He was sent to Georgia for training by ISI before his flight to India."

The Khalistani leader also brainwashed youth to choose the path of slain terorist Dilawar Singh who killed former Punjab CM Beant Singh. For this, he admitted the youth to so-called de-addiction centres and pushed them towards adopting the "gun culture."

Here are 5 facts about the separatist leader:

• The Punjab Police's crackdown on Amritpal Singh on 18 March came almost three weeks after the latter's supporters attacked Amritsar's Ajnala police station demanding the release of Lovepreet Toofan, one of his aides.
• The Waris Punjab De chief was on a run since March. The Punjab Police had issued a lookout circular (LOC) and non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him.
• Ever since being on the run, Singh disguised himself by changing attires and looks and also travelled across neighbouring states to escape the police.
• Amritpal Singh, who claims to be a follower of Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, has made controversial statements in the past few months.
• Married to a UK-based non-resident Indian, Kirandeep Kaur, Amritpal earlier worked in his family-owned transport business.