The Punjab government has formally extended the National Security Act (NSA) detention of independent Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh for another year, following a recommendation from the District Magistrate of Amritsar. Singh, a controversial figure and Khalistani sympathiser, currently represents Khadoor Sahib in Parliament and has been under NSA detention for nearly two years.

Singh has been lodged in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam since his arrest under the NSA in April 2023. His two-year NSA detention was scheduled to expire on April 23, 2025, but the recent administrative move means he will continue to remain in custody until April 2026, unless legal changes occur before then. The decision marks yet another chapter in the continuing saga surrounding Amritpal Singh and his controversial rise in Punjab politics.

According to sources, a Punjab Police team had been mobilised to bring Amritpal back to Punjab, anticipating the end of his current detention term. However, a last-minute deliberation between state and central intelligence agencies led to a reversal of that plan. Instead, the Punjab Home Department approved an extension of the NSA detention based on recommendations made by the Amritsar District Magistrate.

The National Security Act is a preventive detention law in India that empowers authorities to detain individuals without formal charges or trial for a defined period if they are perceived as threats to national security or public order. The decision to continue Amritpal Singh’s detention under this act indicates that the government and security agencies still view him as a potential threat to public safety or national integrity.

Apart from the NSA, Amritpal Singh also faces serious criminal charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The UAPA is India's principal counter-terrorism legislation, used to target individuals involved in terrorism or activities deemed prejudicial to India's sovereignty. These cases are being separately pursued, and legal proceedings under UAPA remain ongoing in the courts.

Amritpal Singh's political career and public profile began to rise sharply in late 2022 when he emerged as the de facto leader of the pro-Khalistan organisation 'Waris Punjab De' following the death of Deep Sidhu. His fiery speeches and provocative actions, coupled with mass mobilisation in certain areas of Punjab, drew the attention of security agencies. In March 2023, Singh led a large group of supporters to storm a police station in Ajnala, which served as a turning point in the state’s crackdown against him and his organisation.

In the aftermath, Amritpal went underground, evading the police for several weeks before finally being arrested. His arrest and subsequent detention under the NSA stirred both controversy and political debates, with some supporting the strict action while others accused the government of political targeting.

During his detention, Singh has been kept under tight surveillance in Dibrugarh Jail, which has become a holding facility for multiple Khalistan-linked detainees. Authorities have cited the sensitive nature of his case and the potential for unrest in Punjab as reasons for keeping him outside the state.

Over the past two years, there have been repeated security assessments, and the extension of the NSA detention is reportedly the result of a recent intelligence report warning that Singh’s return could trigger communal tensions or radical mobilisation, particularly in districts like Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Moga where he retains a loyal following.

Although Amritpal Singh was elected as an independent MP from Khadoor Sahib, questions remain about how a detainee under NSA and UAPA managed to contest elections and win a parliamentary seat. The legal framework in India does not bar a person from contesting elections unless they are convicted of crimes above a certain threshold, which technically enabled Singh’s electoral bid.

Since winning the election, Singh has not taken oath in Parliament, and his detention status effectively bars him from performing any legislative duties. Parliamentary sources say there has been no formal appeal by Singh’s legal team to allow him temporary release for swearing-in or attending sessions.

While civil liberties groups have raised concerns about indefinite preventive detention, the Punjab government insists that the action is necessary to preserve law and order, especially in the wake of heightened concerns over Khalistan-linked activities in India and abroad. The issue has also gained international attention, with pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, the UK, and the US frequently invoking Amritpal Singh’s name in their protests.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has so far supported the state's stand, and sources say the NSA extension is part of a coordinated approach to manage internal security and prevent potential radical flare-ups. The intelligence community has also warned about attempts by foreign agencies to exploit Singh's popularity to reignite Khalistan sentiments in India’s border states.

Amritpal Singh’s case reflects the delicate balancing act between upholding democratic rights and safeguarding national security. The extension of his NSA detention also sets a precedent that the state and central governments are willing to take extraordinary measures to curb perceived separatist threats, regardless of the political or legal sensitivities involved.

As things stand, Amritpal Singh will continue to remain in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail for at least another year. Whether he will face trial under UAPA or if any legal intervention will alter his detention status remains to be seen. However, the decision reinforces the message that Punjab and central authorities are not ready to take any risks regarding figures linked to secessionist ideologies.

This development also comes at a time when Punjab is facing multiple challenges—from drugs and border security to internal law enforcement issues—and the authorities appear committed to preventing any resurgence of Khalistani extremism. The next few months could be crucial, both in terms of legal developments in Singh’s case and how the political narrative around it unfolds in Punjab and beyond.

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