News
From Dubai to surrender in Rode, Sikh separatist has Punjab sweating
Amritpal Singh is fashioning himself into pro-Khalistani activist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was slain in 1984.
After dodging the might of Punjab police, supported by the Indian central government, for 37 days, emerging Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh ‘surrendered’ in the north Indian state’s Moga district on Sunday morning. The local government continues to say he was arrested, but details from Rode village in Moga tell otherwise.
It is another dramatic chapter in the short life of the political leader, months after leaving Dubai as a dispatcher at his family transport business to heading Waris Punjab De, an NGO which is now in support of asking a separate state of Khalistan for the Sikh community.
Rode in Punjab’s Moga district is the ancestral village of slain Khalistani ideologue Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Amritpal’s emergence in Punjab has been dubbed as the arrival of “Bhindranwale 2.0′. It is alleged that Amritpal Singh even went to Georgia for cosmetic surgery to make himself resemble like him on departure from Dubai to India to take over Deep Sidhu, an actor who headed WPD before he died in a road accident last year.
Amritpal chose Rode both for his Dastarbandi ceremony (a Sikh ritual) to take over as head of WPD in September last year and for his surrender before the police, reaffirming the idea that Bhindranwale remains his “idol”. In an address early morning at the local gurudwara, he said his arrest (meaning surrender) was “not the end but the beginning. ”
पंजाब पुलिस का दावा- सरेंडर नहीं किया, हमने गांव को घेर लिया था,अमृतपाल के पास कोई चारा नहीं था #wernewslive #dailynews #AmritpalSingh #Gurudwara #Amritpal_Singh #amritpal #PunjabPolice #BhagwantMann #AmritpalSinghArrest #AmritpalDetained @PunjabPoliceInd pic.twitter.com/BXMoHnaoAa
— WeRNews (@WeRNewsLive) April 23, 2023
Former Akal Takht Jathedar and Bhindranwale’s nephew Jasvir Singh Rode said “Amritpal was not nabbed by the police but he chose to surrender himself after paying obeisance at the gurdwara.”
“Amritpal had reached Rode late on Saturday night. I was informed by the police that he will surrender from our village. I got to know at around midnight and left for Rode soon after. I reached Rode at around 4 am and he was already present. When I met him, he said that he was going to surrender.
“Amritpal had informed the police last night itself that he will surrender today morning after paying obeisance at the gurdwara. He also addressed the sangat (congregation) for a few minutes before the surrender. Had the police arrested him, would they have allowed him to address the sangat? He was all prepared for it and had packed his clothes, combs etc. The police took him away at around 7 am,” Jasvir Rode added.
Amritpal Singh has been taken to Dibrugarh, Assam, where the rest of his aides are also in jail. All have been booked and taken in under the National Security Act. When Amritpal first evaded the police net on March 18 (see timeline), it was rumoured that he was apprehended and will be bumped off in an encounter.
Amritpal Singh escaped the police dragnet twice — first on March 18 in Jalandhar district by switching vehicles and then again on March 28 in Hoshiarpur when he returned to Punjab along with his associate Pappalpreet Singh, who has allegedly been in touch with Pakistan’s ISI.
Pappalpreet Singh has been sent to Dibrugarh jail in Assam.
While on the run, two videos and one audio clip of Amritpal Singh had surfaced on social media. In one of his two videos, which surfaced on March 30, Amritpal Singh had asserted that he was not like those who flee the country.
ROAD TAKEN BY AMRITPAL – FROM DUBAI TO RODE
A timeline of the event so far.
- September 29, 2021: Sandeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Deep Sidhu starts ‘Waris Punjab De’ as a pressure group to “fight for the rights of Punjab and protect its culture”
- February 15, 2022: Deep Sidhu, who shot into the national limelight during farm protests, killed in a road accident
- September 29, 2022: Amritpal Singh appointed ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief by his supporters months after Deep Sidhu’s death
- February 16, 2023: FIR registered against Amritpal Singh and Lovepreet Singh, alias Toofan, in Ajnala, for allegedly kidnapping, thrashing, and attempting to murder
- February 17, 2023: Toofan arrested by the Ajnala Police
- February 23, 2023: Amritpal and his supporters storm Ajnala Police Station and lay siege to pressurise cops to release Toofan. Under pressure, the police agree to release his aide Toofan.
- February 24, 2023: Toofan released from the judicial custody. Police secretly register an FIR under attempt to murder, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty.
- February 25, 2023: DGP chairs a meeting of senior officials and discusses possibilities of action against Amritpal and his aides. The plan was also discussed with the chief minister.
- March 2, 2023: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann along with DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav meets Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. A foolproof plan to act against Waris Punjab De Chief and his aides was given a go-ahead by the home minister. Shah also assures Mann of every possible help from the Centre, including sending Central Armed Forces.
- March 17, 2023: As the G-20 meeting concludes in Amritsar, senior police officials are directed to implement a state-wide crackdown against Amritpal and his aides.
- March 18, 2023: Police teams of more than eight districts start chasing a cavalcade of Amritpal from his native district Amritsar to Bathinda. The cavalcade was intercepted at Mehatpur of Jalandhar district and seven aides of Amritpal were apprehended. However, Amritpal manages to give a slip. On the same day, the four of his supporters are airlifted to Dibrugarh Central Jail of Assam, after the Punjab government invokes National Security Act against them.
- March 19, 2023: The manhunt enters the second day and police arrested 34 more persons.
- March 20, 2023: Amritpal’s uncle, identified as Harjit Singh, and his driver surrenders in the wee hours in Shahkot of Jalandhar. Harjit was also booked under NSA and airlifted to Dibrugarh Jail in Assam.
- March 28, 2023: Amritpal spotted in the Hoshiarpur district along with his friend Pappalpreet Singh but again managed to give the police a slip.
- April 10, 2023: Pappalpreet arrested from Amritsar district by Punjab Police.
- April 23, 2023: Amritpal, already booked under NSA, arrested from Rode village in Moga district. He is likely to be shifted to Dibrugarh Central Jail of Assam.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is transforming the way residents and visitors pay for public transport.
The familiar nol card is evolving into a smarter, digital payment system that will support QR tickets, digital wallets, bank cards and a new generation of nol cards.
The upgrade is expected to roll out in phases beginning in 2027, making public transport payments faster, more flexible and more convenient.
What is changing?
The current card-based ticketing system will be replaced with account-based ticketing (ABT).
Instead of storing your travel balance only on the physical card, your balance and travel information will be linked to a secure digital account.
This means you can access your travel account across multiple devices and payment methods without relying solely on a single plastic card.
How will you be able to pay?
Once the new system is fully launched, commuters will have several payment options, including:
- QR code tickets
- Upgraded nol cards
- Bank debit and credit cards
- Smartphone digital wallets
- Linked customer accounts
The aim is to give passengers greater flexibility while reducing queues and making travel across Dubai more seamless.
Three phases of the nol upgrade
Phase 1: QR ticketing
The first stage will introduce QR code tickets through digital platforms, allowing passengers to purchase and use tickets electronically.
Phase 2: new-generation nol cards
A redesigned nol card will be introduced with enhanced technology.
The upgraded cards will:
- Link automatically to customer accounts.
- Be compatible with bank card technology.
- Support improved security and easier account management.
Phase 3: Bank cards and digital wallets
Passengers will be able to pay directly using:
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Apple Pay
- Google Wallet
- Samsung Wallet and other supported digital payment platforms
This means many commuters may no longer need to carry a separate transport card.
What new features will users get?
The upgraded system will introduce several account management features, including:
- Create a personal nol account.
- Link multiple nol cards to one account.
- Add nol cards to smartphone wallets.
- Buy transport tickets using QR codes.
- View travel history and daily transaction statements.
- Block lost or stolen cards.
- Recover remaining balances.
- Enable automatic top-ups through linked bank accounts.
Families will also be able to link multiple nol cards under one account and manage top-up amounts for each family member.
Will nol cards be used for shopping?
Yes.
One of the biggest changes is that future nol cards are expected to function similarly to bank cards, allowing users to make purchases through digital channels and at participating retail outlets across the UAE.
This expands the card’s use beyond public transport.
Will public transport fares change?
The RTA has confirmed that the upgraded platform will support more flexible fare structures across different modes of transport.
However, no new fare prices or tariff changes have been announced.
When will the new system launch?
According to the RTA, the project is already 72% complete.
The rollout will begin in phases during 2027, with new features becoming available progressively.
Why is Dubai upgrading nol System?
The upgrade is part of Dubai’s broader Cashless Strategy, which aims to make digital payments the standard across government services and daily life.
It also supports the city’s vision of creating a smarter, more connected transport network by integrating multiple transport services into one seamless payment ecosystem.
For commuters, the changes mean greater convenience, fewer physical cards to carry, and a faster, more flexible travel experience across Dubai’s public transport system.
Private sector employees in Dubai can now report workplace concerns directly through the DubaiNow app using a new digital service called Worker’s Voice.
Developed by Dubai Police and integrated into the DubaiNow platform by Digital Dubai, the service enables workers to submit complaints online without visiting a government service centre.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Worker’s Voice service?
Worker’s Voice is a digital complaint service available on the DubaiNow app. It allows private sector employees to raise concerns about their employer through an official government platform.
Workers can submit complaints individually or as a group, making it easier to report issues while reducing the need for in-person visits.
What complaints can employees raise?
The service covers a range of workplace-related issues, including:
1. Salary and wage issues
Employees can report:
- Unpaid salaries
- Delayed wage payments
- Unauthorised salary deductions
2. Working conditions
Workers can file complaints about:
- Excessive working hours
- Violations of employment contract terms
- Lack of mandatory rest breaks
- Denial of annual leave or other legal entitlements
3. Employee accommodation
Complaints can also be submitted regarding:
- Poor living conditions
- Unsafe or overcrowded accommodation
- Failure to meet approved housing standards
4. Health and safety concerns
Workers can report:
- Unsafe workplaces
- Lack of protective equipment
- Occupational health and safety violations
How to submit a complaint
Filing a complaint is straightforward:
- Open the DubaiNow app and sign in using your UAE Pass.
- Navigate to the Worker’s Voice service under the police, justice or safety services section.
- Enter details about your employer and describe the issue clearly.
- Submit your complaint electronically.
Once submitted, the complaint is forwarded through official channels managed by Dubai Police for review and follow-up.
Do you need to visit a service centre?
No. One of the biggest advantages of the new service is that workers can complete the entire complaint process digitally through the DubaiNow app, eliminating the need to visit a government office for initial reporting.
What is DubaiNow?
DubaiNow is the Dubai Government’s unified smart services platform, offering access to more than 250 services from over 35 government and private sector entities.
Residents can use the app to pay bills, renew government services, access official documents and now report workplace issues through Worker’s Voice.
Is Worker’s Voice the same as MoHRE?
Not exactly.
The Worker’s Voice feature is designed to help employees report workplace concerns through DubaiNow and Dubai Police.
However, employment disputes involving labour law interpretation, contract mediation, end-of-service benefits or cases that may proceed to the Labour Court are generally handled by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Workers with complex employment disputes may still need to file or continue their case through MoHRE’s official channels.
The addition of Worker’s Voice makes it easier for private sector employees to report workplace concerns quickly and securely. By moving the process online, Dubai aims to improve access to government services, strengthen worker protection and encourage faster reporting of labour-related issues.
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