Punjab Government Seeks Extension of Amritpal Singh's Detention in Assam
Chandigarh: In a significant move aimed at maintaining public safety, the Punjab government has formally approached the Union Home Ministry with a request to keep Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh confined in Dibrugarh Central Jail located in Assam. This request comes despite the impending expiration of his detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), which is scheduled to conclude on April 22.
Official Communication and Legal Grounds
According to reliable sources, the state administration has specifically written to the Union Home Secretary, urging the ministry to secure consent from the Assam government. The proposal is to lodge Amritpal Singh under the provisions of the Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1952, as amended by the Punjab Amendment Act, 2025. The Punjab government has emphasized the need for an expedited decision to facilitate further legal actions without delay.
The communication, dated April 11 from the Punjab Home Department, references critical reports submitted by the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Amritsar (rural). These reports highlight that Amritpal Singh's preventive detention is set to lapse on April 22, with plans for his re-arrest immediately upon release on April 23. The SSP has strongly recommended that he remain incarcerated in Dibrugarh jail, citing paramount concerns for state security and the preservation of public order.
Background and Previous Detentions
Amritpal Singh's legal troubles began with an FIR registered on February 24, 2023, at Ajnala police station in Amritsar. The case stemmed from an incident where he and his associates forcefully entered the police station to secure the release of a detained aide. Following a widespread manhunt by Punjab Police that lasted over a month, he was apprehended on April 23, 2023. Since his arrest, he has been held in Dibrugarh jail under the NSA, with his detention subsequently extended in April 2024 and again in April 2025.
It is noteworthy that nine of Amritpal Singh's aides, who were initially lodged alongside him in Dibrugarh, have already been transferred back to Punjab. This transfer occurred after their NSA detentions were not renewed, underscoring the unique and ongoing security assessment surrounding Amritpal Singh himself.
Security Assessments and Government Stance
The Punjab Home Department, after meticulously reviewing intelligence inputs and official reports, has arrived at a considered opinion. Officials assert that continuing to house Amritpal Singh outside Punjab is essential to mitigate potential risks to law and order. This stance is rooted in apprehensions about his influence and activities, which are perceived as threats to regional stability.
By seeking to keep him in Assam, the Punjab government aims to leverage the geographical distance to prevent any immediate disruptions, thereby upholding the broader objectives of security and peace in the state. The move reflects a proactive approach to governance, prioritizing preventive measures over reactive responses.
As the situation develops, all eyes are on the Union Home Ministry's response, which will determine the next steps in this high-profile case. The outcome could set a precedent for handling similar security-sensitive detentions in the future.
