Nabha Jail break mastermind arrested in Hong Kong

Ramanjit Singh alias 'Romi, the main conspirator in the November 2016 infamous Nabha Jail break case in Patiala District of Punjab, has been arrested by Chinese law enforcement agencies and Hong Kong Police.

Police in Punjab have received an Interpol alert confirming the development. He was arrested in connection with a robbery, and now Punjab Police has taken up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs to get him extradited.

They had roped in the Interpol to help them to trace and nab 'Romi' after three gangsters who were arrested in February, last year, including jail escapee Gurpreet Sekhon had told the police interrogators that 'Romi' had provided funds for the November 2016 Nabha jailbreak and had even set up a "control room" in Hong Kong to coordinate the movement of the jailbreak escapees using the Internet and WhatsApp.

'Romi' was known to have close links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and is believed to have a major role in coordinating and establishing links between terrorists and gangsters in Punjab, and particularly with those residing in the state's Majha, Malwa and Doaba regions.

According to the police, he figured prominently in the recent sectarian killings that took place across Punjab.

'Romi' was first arrested in Patiala in June 2016 and was sent to the high security jail in Nabha where he established close relations with Harminder Singh alias "Mintu, the chief of the Babar Khalsa, through Gurpreet Singh Sekhon.

In August 2016, Romi jumped bail and escaped to Hong Kong from where he planned the jail break of the Nabha Jail.

It may be recalled that on November 27, 2016, 15 gangsters of the above regions of

Punjab entered the Nabha Jail armed with sophisticated weapons and freed six hardcore prisoners, including two terrorists and four hardcore gangsters.

Media reports have quoted Punjab Police sources, as saying that till date 36 persons have been arrested in connection with the Nabha jailbreak.

Out of six inmates who fled the maximum security jail, four -- Neeta Deol, Gurpreet Sekhon, Aman Dhotian and KLF chief Harminder Singh alias Mintoo were re-arrested.

The fifth escapee -Vicky Gounder - was killed in a police encounter, while the sixth -- Sikh Militant Baba Kashmir Singh continues to roam around free.

Before his arrest in Hong Kong, Ramanjit Singh alias Romi, aged 29, had a Red Corner Notice Control No. A-2627/3-2017 issued against him, which remains active as on date.

The latest radical-cum-terror module busted by Punjab Police that was held responsible for the murder of seven persons who were associated with the RSS, Shiv Sena and Dera Premmi, was traced to a module managed by Romi in Hong Kong.