Worries mount as neo-Khalistani Amritpal roams free

'The entire pretence of Amritpal being the next Bhindranwale can be ended within hours if the security apparatus does its job.'

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

The seemingly long rope being given to Amritpal Singh Sandhu who at best is being described as "a wannabe" neo-Khalistani and an "imitator" of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and someone who is soaking in the media attention that he has been getting-has raised questions about the intent of the official apparatus in Punjab and at the Centre with the responsibility to tackle such a "nuisance".

Why Sandhu was being allowed to roam free along with armed escorts when he had committed multiple crimes for which he can be put behind bars for a long period of time, is something that has raised uncomfortable questions within the intelligence gathering apparatus.

An official from an intelligence gathering organiztion, who is monitoring the situation, said that while there was enough evidence to say conclusively that Sandhu was a supporter of the "Khalistan myth" and that he was approached by people who work for Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI while he was based in Dubai, the media, while presenting him, is not taking into account mostly because of a lack of knowledge and understanding that the concept of "Khalistan" does not have any traction on the ground in Punjab. The official, while speaking to The Sunday Guardian said that Sandhu's "force" at the most was of 200-300 unemployed youth who were sticking with him primarily because they had nothing better to do.