KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
08-Jun-2020
The executive committee of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced to celebrate its centenary on November 15 this year. Its president Gobind Singh Longowal said the functions to mark the centenary will be organised at the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and Manji Sahib in Darbar Sahib, Amritsar.
07-Jun-2020
Uttar Pradesh (UP), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested a key arms supplier of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), identified as Javed Khan from Hapur in Hapur district of UP. ATS, which is probing Javed’s supply channel and chains in UP, said that he is also a close aide of Ashish, who is considered to be the right hand of Gugni Grewal aka Harmeet Singh ‘chief’ of KLF and supplier of weapons to the force. Javed’s aide Ashish also has a role in murder of RSS and Shiv Sena workers in 2016. Ashish was arrested by the UP-ATS on February 1, 2020. ATS also said that weapons provided by Javed also led to the killing of top RSS leader retired brigadier Jagdish Kumar Gagneja. In this murder, Javed’s aide Ashish arrested earlier by UP-ATS was also involved. Currently, this case is being worked upon by National Investigation Agency (NIA).
07-Jun-2020
Three Congress MLAs Amrik Singh Dhillon, Surinder Dawar and Kuldeep Singh Vaid reacted strongly to the statements of Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal over Khalistan. The MLAs urged Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal to clarify their stand on the statements.
07-Jun-2020
A day after his controversial statement on Khalistan, the Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said it was the Indian government that forced members of the community to pick arms in 1984. In a message relayed on a web channel, which was recently banned in India for its alleged anti-national content, the Jathedar while referring to the Operation Bluestar said that “picking arms was the last resort for the Sikhs for getting their demands heard by the government”. “We should ascertain as to why the Sikhs picked arms. When India got independence in 1947, the country’s leaders made some promises to the Sikhs such as giving them due respect and rights besides safeguarding their principles and traditions. But then, the Sikhs were tagged as a “criminal community” instead of delivering these promises,” the Jathedar said.
07-Jun-2020
Police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Nihal Singh Wala and recovered 75 kg of poppy from him in Moga district.
06-Jun-2020
According to reports, empowered by the Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s statement on Khalistan, the US-based secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) vowed to continue with its plans to hold voting for its unofficial Punjab Independence Referendum in the year 2020 while complying with the COVID-19 safety guidelines of WHO. On the 36th martyrdom year of Sant Bhindranwale, SFJ held a global conference addressed by pro Khalistan activists and international experts of democracy and referendum and announced that from July 4, 2020, people living in Punjab and Sikhs living anywhere in India will be able to register their votes for non-governmental Punjab Independence Referendum.
06-Jun-2020
As per the Punjab police records, on an average 39 accused were arrested every day in cases registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in Punjab in the past three years. Punjab Police also registered an average 31 FIRs per day under the NDPS Act since March 16, 2017 in the state. It reveals that from March 16, 2017, after the new state government took over the charge, a total number of 46,724 accused have been arrested in 37,526 FIRs till June 3, 2020. During this almost 40 months period, the state police have made recovery of a total of over 1,426 kilograms of heroin, over 1,569 kilograms of opium, 1.27 lakh kilograms of poppy husk, over 375 kilograms of charas, over 6,153 kilograms of ganja and over 852 kilograms of bhang. Similarly, over 1.94 lakh injections, 2.79 crore pills and capsules, and 427 kilograms of intoxicant powder has also been seized. There are 180 foreign nationals among those arrested in the last over three years in the NDPS cases. The state police have been able to achieve 68% conviction rate in NDPS cases. The STF police station in Mohali has recorded 100% conviction rate.
06-Jun-2020
Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by some Sikh hardliners in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Around 100 activists led by Imaan Singh Mann, son of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) – SAD (Amritsar) - president and former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, raised the slogans at the Akal Takht. ‘Parallel Jathedar’ of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand, who entered the premises with the Mann-led group, addressed the gathering. Earlier in the day, there was a minor scuffle between policemen and the group led by Imaan Singh Mann as they were initially denied entry inside the Golden Temple. Mann sustained a foot injury during the scuffle. However, the group was later allowed entry following intervention of senior police officers present on the spot.
06-Jun-2020
Members of Sikh hardliner outfit Damdami Taksal along with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) officials honoured the families of those who were killed during Operation Blue Star, which was carried out in 1984 to flush out heavily-armed terrorists holed up in the Golden Temple. The main programme to honour such families was organized by the Akal Takht. Giani Harpreet Singh, while addressing the gathering, said that the Sikh community will always remember the unhealed wounds of Operation Blue Star.
06-Jun-2020
Barring minor skirmishes between activists of certain Sikh organisations with the police to gain entry into the complex, the anniversary of Operation Bluestar event at the Golden Temple was largely peaceful. The recitation of kirtan and bhog of akhand path, dedicated to the occasion, was also performed.
06-Jun-2020
After the culmination of the annual function at Akal Takht to mark the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, the Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh in a reply to the question on slogans being raised in favour of Khalistan during the function by some hardliners, said, "There is nothing wrong if slogans in favour of Khalistan are raised after the function by the Sikh hardliners. If the government offers us Khalistan, what else do we need, we will accept it, because every Sikh wants it." He also said that he had no objection if Sikhs raise slogans of Khalistan outside Akal Takht Sahib but raising such slogans in the official function of Operation Blue Star is unacceptable. Endorsing Jathedar’s views, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal, who was present also said that "If the government offers it (Khalistan) we will accept it." Earlier while delivering his annual address at the function as it was raining, Jathedar said, "As Sikhs lack unity, there are these restrictions by the police for devotees at the Golden Temple." Ardas and kirtan were also performed at the Takht in memory of those killed in Operation Bluestar. Meanwhile, the Sarbat Khalsa appointed 'parallel' officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Dhyan Singh Mand along with his supporters also reached the complex.
06-Jun-2020
Punjab, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on June 6 condemned the attitude of Giani Harpreet Singh, the Akal Takht Jathedar, who was justifying the demand of Khalistan. BJP leader and former cabinet minister Manoranjan Kalia said that such type of support to the demand of the radicals by a religious head of such a prime institution was never expected. Supporting and justifying the demand of Khalistan, the Jathedar had hurt the feelings of crores of Hindus even who have faith in the Ten Great Sikh Gurus.
06-Jun-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal on June 6 said that they are yet to take a decision on the Centre’s offer for an out-of-court settlement in the Rs 1,000 crore damage suit filed in the Delhi High Court for carrying out the Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in 1984. Talks are on for the past few months to fix a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Longowal to negotiate a settlement to the 35-year-old case.
05-Jun-2020
Police arrested two persons, identified as Sachin Kumar, and a woman named Jasbir Kaur alias Simty along with 1 kg heroin from Industrial Area in Phase-7 in Mohali in SAS Nagar district. On their interrogation, another person Raghbir Singh, was arrested and recovered 45 grams heroin from him in Mohali.
05-Jun-2020
Police arrested two persons. Identified as Balbir Singh and Gurnam Singh Gogi and recovered 31 kg Poppy Husk from them in Harlalpur village in SAS Nagar district.
05-Jun-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) advised the ‘sangat’ to pay their homage to those killed in the Operation Bluestar from their homes only. SGPC has also assigned duties to its task force to maintain peace in the temple complex.
05-Jun-2020
The national president of Anti-Terrorist Front, India, Veeresh Shandilya in a release, issued on June 5 demanded from administration to take action against the persons wearing t-shirts with photographs of militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
05-Jun-2020
Punjab Police along with BSF recovered 4.6 kg heroin and 50-gram opium from near the border out post Ullo Ke in the Ferozepur sector in Ferozepur district.
05-Jun-2020
According to report, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Union government have been in communication for the past few months to fix a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal to negotiate an out-of-court settlement to a 35-year-old case in which Rs 1,000 crore damages have been sought from the central government for carrying out the 1984 operation. The correspondence between the two sides to arrange the meeting was initiated as per orders of the Delhi High Court after a hearing on December 4, 2019, but it got abruptly paused due to the pandemic outbreak. The process to start negotiations had rolled after the SGPC asked for a meeting with Shah to settle the case during the court hearing. A senior SGPC official said, “Correspondence has been initiated. First, we got a letter from the Home Ministry to fix the meeting of the Home Minister with SGPC president to start negotiations. Then SGPC also sent a letter in response. The correspondence came to a halt after the coronavirus outbreak. The next hearing of the case in May was also adjourned. We can expect the correspondence to start after the normalization of the pandemic situation. So far, no meeting could be arranged.”
05-Jun-2020
Posters with slogans of 'Khalistan Zindabad' were spotted at Gurudwaras, temples, gaushala and some other places, on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, at Kalanwali town in Sirsa district of Haryana. According to police, the posters were installed at some time on June 4 night, which were removed by police later. Meanwhile, intelligence agencies of the state and central government have become alert. A senior officer said that the posters, 'June 1984 is neither forgettable nor spared' have been pasted.
05-Jun-2020
Security agencies were put on alert and vigil increased in and around the holy city of Amritsar ahead of the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Despite coronavirus restrictions, Punjab Police, paramilitary forces and intelligence personnel were positioned at sensitive places across Amritsar, particularly in the congested walled city area where the Darbar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, complex is located.
05-Jun-2020
According to report, investigating agencies have zeroed in on Germany-based Gurmeet Singh Bagga, who has emerged as a common link in the narco-terror network through which drugs and funds for terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir were being pushed into the country from Pakistan. An agency official said that “The key accused identified during the probe into the seizure of 532 kg of heroin and 52 kg of mixed narcotics by the Customs Department at the Wagah-Attari border last year have suspected links with Bagga, who hails from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. He was also involved in the smuggling of weapons from Pakistan to Punjab using GPS-fitted drones last year.” The Interpol had issued a Red Notice against Bagga in 2018 following requests from the Indian agencies.
05-Jun-2020
The Dal Khalsa staged a symbolic ‘genocide remembrance parade’ amid COVID-19 outbreak, to pay homage to the ‘martyrs’ on the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. The five members of Dal Khalsa marched from their party office to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where they performed Ardas in the memory of those who perished during the operation. They were carrying Sikh Flag symbolizing Sikh sovereignty and placards in support of their mission for Khalistan.
05-Jun-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh, when asked about the threats of disturbance to mark the Operation Blue Star anniversary, said that nobody would be allowed to disrupt the peace of Punjab, which had lost 35,000 lives during the dark days of terror. No Punjabi wants this, he said, adding that it was only a handful of anti-India elements that continued to try and provoke people in the name of Khalistan every now and then.
04-Jun-2020
As per the reports, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is likely to facilitate a video conference between leaders of various Sikh militant groups operating in Pakistan and other countries as differences have emerged among them following the murder of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) leader Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD outside a Gurudwara in Lahore in January 2020. According to intelligence sources, a majority of Sikh militant leaders living under ISI protection were involved in smuggling of narcotics and Happy’s murder was most likely a fallout of territorial dispute. “There is a cut throat competition among the Sikh militant groups in Pakistan to become ISI ‘favorite’ and Happy’s murder was a clear-cut result of the dominance of a different Sikh militant outfit. Otherwise, no one could have even touched him, that too outside a gurdwara,” said sources. It also said that ISI favoured International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) ‘chief’ Lakhbir Singh Rode and Khalistan Commando Force (KCF)’s Paramjit Singh Panjwar to play a prominent role in KLF after Happy’s murder but others from three countries of Europe wanted a UK-based Sikh leader to have the reigns of KLF in his hands. This leadership issue has led to a schism between them. “We are of view that ISI will soon hold a video conference among the warring Sikh militant leaders from UK, Europe and Pakistan to bring about a truce,” sources said.