Connect with us

News

From Dubai to surrender in Rode, Sikh separatist has Punjab sweating

Published

on

Spread the love

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. ”

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.

News

UAE flights cancelled or delayed after Israel-Iran escalation: What travellers need to know

Published

on

Spread the love

Several flights operated by UAE-based airlines were cancelled or delayed on Friday following Israel’s attack on Iran and the subsequent closure of regional airspace. Airlines, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, and flydubai, have announced changes to flight schedules, citing safety concerns and airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel.

Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi’s national carrier cancelled and delayed multiple flights to Tel Aviv after Ben Gurion Airport shut down temporarily.

  • Cancelled:
    • EY595 (Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv)
    • EY596 (Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi)
  • Delayed:
    • EY593 / EY594 – by approx. 4 hours
    • EY597 / EY598 – by approx. 12 hours

Etihad is assisting affected passengers and advising them to check real-time flight status on its website or app. The airline warned that the situation remains fluid, and more disruptions may follow.

Emirates

Dubai-based Emirates cancelled several flights to Tehran, Baghdad, Basra, Amman, and Beirut on June 13 and 14. Affected services include:

  • June 13: EK943–EK946 (Baghdad, Basra), EK979–EK980 (Tehran), EK903–EK906 (Amman), EK953–EK958 (Beirut)
  • June 14: EK977–EK978 (Tehran)

Passengers connecting through Dubai to destinations in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon are not being accepted for travel from their origin point until further notice.

 flydubai

Low-cost carrier flydubai confirmed suspensions and reroutes for flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel, following airspace closures.

Some flights were cancelled, rerouted, or returned to their departure points. Passengers are urged to keep their contact details updated and check the latest flight status on flydubai.com.

Dubai Airports Advisory

Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) reported cancellations and delays due to airspace restrictions over multiple countries.

Airport authorities are working closely with airlines to support travellers and advise passengers to check with their airline for updates before leaving for the airport.

What You Should Do:

  • Check your flight status regularly via the airline’s website or app
  • Contact your airline or travel agent for rebooking options
  • Ensure your contact details are updated with your airline
  • Arrive at the airport only after confirming your flight’s status

Continue Reading

Business

UAE firms face fines from July for missing mid-year Emiratisation target

Published

on

Spread the love

Private sector companies in the UAE with 50 or more employees have until June 30, 2025 to meet their Emiratisation target for the first half of the year, or face financial penalties starting in July, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has warned.

What’s required?

Companies must increase the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs by at least 1% relative to their current skilled workforce, while maintaining any previous Emiratisation levels already achieved.

What happens if they don’t?

Failure to meet the target will result in mandatory financial contributions (effectively fines) that will be collected starting July 2025. The exact penalty depends on the gap in compliance.

MoHRE urges action and reporting

MoHRE is also encouraging Emirati citizens to report non-compliant companies or unethical hiring practices. Reports can be made through:

  • Call centre: 600590000
  • MoHRE app or website

Benefits for compliant firms

Companies meeting or exceeding targets may qualify for:

  • Up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees
  • Priority in government procurement contracts
  • Membership in the Tawteen Partners Club
    These benefits are part of the Nafis programme, which also connects employers with a large pool of qualified Emirati candidates.

Progress so far

As of May 2025, more than 141,000 Emiratis were working in the private sector across 28,000 companies, a record high, according to MoHRE.

The Ministry said it remains confident in the private sector’s commitment to Emiratisation and praised companies already contributing to the national strategy aimed at boosting economic growth and workforce diversity.

Continue Reading

News

How Dubai Metro’s new AI robot is going to make your commute smoother and safer

Published

on

Spread the love

If you ride the Dubai Metro regularly, here’s some good news: a new AI-powered robot is now working behind the scenes to make your daily journey safer, faster, and more reliable.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a smart robot called ARIIS (Automated Rail Infrastructure Inspection System) that autonomously checks the tracks and metro infrastructure, eliminating the need to stop trains or close lines.

So what does that mean for you as a passenger?

  • Fewer delays: With faster inspections and better planning, there’s less chance of sudden disruptions or maintenance-related delays.
  • Safer rides: The robot can detect early signs of damage or wear that humans might miss, helping prevent issues before they happen.
  • Smoother journeys: Better track maintenance means less noise and vibration, making your metro ride more comfortable.
  • More reliable service: The system helps keep the metro running on schedule, so you’re less likely to miss that important meeting or connection.

And the best part? It all happens quietly in the background, without affecting daily metro operations.

This upgrade is part of Dubai’s push to lead in smart city innovation. By utilising AI and robotics, the city not only ensures the safety of public transport but also maintains its world-class status for residents and millions of others who rely on it every day.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/