<p>The Punjab government has informed the Akal Takht that 348 of the 360 people taken into preventive custody during a police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh have now been freed.</p>.<p>The Akal Takht Jathedar's personal secretary Jaspal Singh on Thursday said a message was received from the state government that the rest would also be released soon.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/close-to-catching-amritpal-singh-punjab-govt-tells-high-court-1204306.html" target="_blank">Close to catching Amritpal Singh, Punjab govt tells high court</a></strong></p>.<p>Earlier this week, Akal Takht Jathedar <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/akal-takht-jathedar-issues-24-hr-ultimatum-for-release-of-sikhs-held-following-crackdown-on-amritpal-singh-1204117.html" target="_blank">Giani Harpreet Singh had given an ultimatum</a> to the state government to release all Sikh youths held during the police crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his aides.</p>.<p>The Jathedar had also condemned the state government for invoking the National Security Act against a few people during the police crackdown.</p>.<p>A few days prior to the Jathedar's ultimatum, the Punjab Police had said that out of those detained, nearly 30 were hardcore criminals. The rest would be released after verification, a senior police official had said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, police have stepped up security in and around Amritsar and Bathinda amid reports that Amritpal Singh may surrender after entering any of the two Sikh shrines – the Golden Temple in Amritsar or the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/amritpal-singh-the-preacher-who-stirred-up-trouble-1203607.html" target="_blank">Amritpal Singh: The preacher who stirred up trouble </a></strong></p>.<p>Vehicles are being checked at several places in other districts, including Hoshiarpur, in search of the head of 'Waris Punjab De'.</p>.<p>Amritpal, who has been on the run since March 18 when the police crackdown was launched, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/amritpal-singh-says-in-new-video-he-is-in-high-spirits-calls-for-sarbat-khalsa-1204720.html" target="_blank">appeared in a video on Wednesday</a>.</p>.<p>In the undated clip, he urged the Akal Takht to summon a "<em>sarbat khalsa</em>" – a congregation of Sikhs to discuss issues concerning the community.</p>.<p>The Punjab Police on Tuesday night launched a massive search operation in a Hoshiarpur village and many adjoining areas following inputs that radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his aides could be in the area.</p>
<p>The Punjab government has informed the Akal Takht that 348 of the 360 people taken into preventive custody during a police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh have now been freed.</p>.<p>The Akal Takht Jathedar's personal secretary Jaspal Singh on Thursday said a message was received from the state government that the rest would also be released soon.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/close-to-catching-amritpal-singh-punjab-govt-tells-high-court-1204306.html" target="_blank">Close to catching Amritpal Singh, Punjab govt tells high court</a></strong></p>.<p>Earlier this week, Akal Takht Jathedar <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/akal-takht-jathedar-issues-24-hr-ultimatum-for-release-of-sikhs-held-following-crackdown-on-amritpal-singh-1204117.html" target="_blank">Giani Harpreet Singh had given an ultimatum</a> to the state government to release all Sikh youths held during the police crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his aides.</p>.<p>The Jathedar had also condemned the state government for invoking the National Security Act against a few people during the police crackdown.</p>.<p>A few days prior to the Jathedar's ultimatum, the Punjab Police had said that out of those detained, nearly 30 were hardcore criminals. The rest would be released after verification, a senior police official had said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, police have stepped up security in and around Amritsar and Bathinda amid reports that Amritpal Singh may surrender after entering any of the two Sikh shrines – the Golden Temple in Amritsar or the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Bathinda.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/amritpal-singh-the-preacher-who-stirred-up-trouble-1203607.html" target="_blank">Amritpal Singh: The preacher who stirred up trouble </a></strong></p>.<p>Vehicles are being checked at several places in other districts, including Hoshiarpur, in search of the head of 'Waris Punjab De'.</p>.<p>Amritpal, who has been on the run since March 18 when the police crackdown was launched, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/amritpal-singh-says-in-new-video-he-is-in-high-spirits-calls-for-sarbat-khalsa-1204720.html" target="_blank">appeared in a video on Wednesday</a>.</p>.<p>In the undated clip, he urged the Akal Takht to summon a "<em>sarbat khalsa</em>" – a congregation of Sikhs to discuss issues concerning the community.</p>.<p>The Punjab Police on Tuesday night launched a massive search operation in a Hoshiarpur village and many adjoining areas following inputs that radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his aides could be in the area.</p>