KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Aug-2024
The upcoming film Emergency, starring Kangana Ranaut as former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has sparked controversy. Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh (one of the two bodyguards who assassinated PM Gandhi), and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have objected to its portrayal of Sikhs. Concerns have been raised that the film could fuel hatred towards the Sikh community and misrepresent their sacrifices during the Emergency.
26-Aug-2024
According to reports, pro-Khalistani protests in recent months in countries like the United States (US), Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK) have dwindled, with many Sikhs in these nations growing increasingly weary of such actions. Demonstrations that once attracted large crowds now see minimal turnout, sometimes as few as 20-30 activists. Clashes between pro-Khalistani and pro-India groups have erupted, such as in Mississauga and Surrey in Canada, prompting police intervention. The declining participation suggests that pro-Khalistani strategies are losing effectiveness and alienating support rather than rallying it.
26-Aug-2024
The Jalandhar Police Commissionerate on August 26 busted an interstate drug peddling racket, arresting two peddlers identified as Captain Singh and Mann Singh and seized 10.5 kg of opium and INR 4 lakh in drug money from their possession at Dakoha Fatak in Jalandhar district. Captain Singh had been arrested on July 23 with 3.5 kg of opium, and based on information provided by him during interrogation, Mann Singh was arrested on August 26 on the Jalandhar-Panipat highway with an additional 7 kg of opium. Both men were involved in transporting opium from Jharkhand to Jalandhar and have been remanded in police custody for five days.
26-Aug-2024
Police on August 26 arrested two individuals, identified as Kaushal Lalla and Sunny Kumar, and seized 45 grams of heroin from their possession near Indira Nagari in Abohar, Fazilka district.
26-Aug-2024
A City-1 police team on August 26 arrested an individual, identified as Nishan Singh and seized 52.79 grams of heroin and a bike from his possession near Seed Farm Colony in Abohar in Fazilka district.
26-Aug-2024
Khuian Sarwar Police on August 26 arrested one person, identified as Balwinder Singh and seized 1.2 kg of opium from his possession, near Telupura village in Fazilka district.
26-Aug-2024
During a weapons recovery operation on August 26, two shooters involved in the case of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Sukhchain Singh, identified as Sukhwinder and Gurkirat Singh, opened fire on the police near Vallah Canal in Amritsar, Punjab. They were injured in the leg when the police returned fire and were subsequently arrested. According to the police, the case involves the murder of NRI Sukhchain Singh, orchestrated by his ex-brother-in-law, Sukhwinder Singh, who is based in the United States. This act was reportedly done to avenge his sister’s death, who had died by suicide in 2022. So far, eight individuals, including Sukhwinder Singh, Gurkirat Singh, US-based Sukhwinder Singh, Sarvan Singh, Jagjit Singh, Chamkaur Singh, Digambar Atri, and Abhilaksh Bhaskar, have been arrested in connection with the case.
25-Aug-2024
Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on August 25 flagged off the first-of-its-kind '5 Takht' special pilgrim train, to five holy Sikh shrines from Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded in Maharashtra.
25-Aug-2024
According to sources, the Border Security Force (BSF) has requested an additional battalion to address the increasing threat of cross-border drones transporting drugs and ammunition along the India-Pakistan Punjab border. Currently, 18 out of 20 battalions are actively deployed, with drone activity being particularly prevalent in Amritsar and Tarn Taran. Enhanced security measures, including culverts and a mounted unit of women troops, are being implemented. Additionally, local cooperation has facilitated the recovery of over 120 drones this year (2024).
25-Aug-2024
Union Minister for Home Affairs (UMHA) Amit Shah emphasized on August 25 that narcotics pose a significant threat to national security, with drug profits fuelling terrorism and Naxalism, while virtually inaugurating the regional office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Shah also highlighted the need for scientific investigations and a bottom-up approach to combat the illegal narcotics trade. He called for coordinated efforts to dismantle drug networks and urged officials to use legal powers to seize drug traffickers' properties without hesitation.
25-Aug-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency II (CIA) of Ludhiana Police Commissionerate, on August 25, following a tip-off, arrested an air-conditioner mechanic identified as Sooraj for drug peddling and seized 500 grams of heroin from his possession in Khasi Kalan village in Ludhiana East, Ludhiana district.
25-Aug-2024
On August 25, the second meeting between Punjab and Haryana police officials and the agitating farmer unions ended in a stalemate at the Shambhu border near Shambhu village in Patiala district, Punjab. Although the farmers expressed willingness to lift the six-month blockade, they stated that the Haryana Government's placement of boulders was obstructing movement. Both sides indicated they are open to further discussions, with the farmers maintaining that they have not blocked the highway and remain committed to resolving the issue.
25-Aug-2024
Ahead of Janmashtami celebrations on August 25, security was tightened across Malerkotla district in Punjab, with organizers urged to take preventive measures against mishaps and anti-social elements. Vigilance was increased at event venues, railway stations, bus stops, and markets, while anti-sabotage teams were deployed to enhance security. Combing operations were conducted under the supervision of senior police officials to monitor the situation.
24-Aug-2024
On August 24, Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Sukhchain Singh was shot at by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants who barged into his house in Daburji village, Amritsar district. A bullet pierced his head, narrowly missing his brain, while another struck his arm. Recently returned from the US to start a business, Sukhchain survived due to a malfunctioning pistol.
24-Aug-2024
More than 10 Sikh organisations, including Waris Punjab De (WPD), Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha Chandigarh and Panthic outfits from Doaba and Malwa on August 24 approached Akal Takht in Amritsar, demanding that jathedars, politicians, religious figures and organisations should not try to shield political leaders. They handed over a memorandum to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh’s secretary, Sukhdev Singh, urging the restoration of the Panthic-political arrangement according to Sikh traditions.
24-Aug-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami on August 24 urged Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar and Ambassador to Qatar Vipul to clarify the situation regarding the holy swaroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib confiscated by Doha Police in Qatar. Dhami claimed that while the MEA stated that one swaroop had been returned and efforts were ongoing for the other, the SGPC has information indicating that both swaroops are still under the confiscation of Doha Police. He called for complete transparency and a serious effort from the Indian government to resolve the issue and return the swaroops.
23-Aug-2024
The Jalandhar (Rural) police on August 23 arrested three drug peddlers, identified as Gurcharan Singh alias Raju, Balwinder Singh alias Mota, and Gurpreet Singh alias Guri, and seized 225 grams of heroin, INR 1 lakh in drug money, along with their car (PB10-GL-4080) at a checkpoint near Adda village in Jalandhar district.
23-Aug-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on August 23 stated that India has raised concerns with Qatar regarding the confiscation of two holy swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib and is working to ensure their respectful return. One swaroop has been returned, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the second.
23-Aug-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 23 called for strong measures to combat drone-assisted smuggling and narco-terrorism, noting that weapons and drugs from across the border are destroying an entire generation. Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi denied bail to an accused involved in multiple narcotics and arms cases, labelling the matter as narco-terrorism, and emphasized the need to address such offenses with an iron hand.
23-Aug-2024
Police on August 23 posted public notices to confiscate the properties of two drug traffickers identified as Vipan Batra and Sukhwinder Singh, located in Waryam Nagar and Patrewala village, respectively, in Abohar, Fazilka district. Batra's property, worth INR 25 lakh, in Waryam Nagar was attached, along with Singh's house and 14.5 marla of land in Patrewala village. According to the police, these assets were acquired through illegal drug sales.
23-Aug-2024
The Amritsar rural police on August 23 froze properties worth INR 37.72 crore belonging to drug smugglers Jatin Singh and Ajaypal Singh, located in Mode village and on Kale Ghanupur Road, respectively, in Amritsar district. Ajaypal Singh’s assets, valued at INR 37.66 crore, and Jatin Singh’s assets, worth INR 5.85 lakh, were targeted following their arrest in July 2024 with 500 grams of heroin and a .32 bore pistol.
23-Aug-2024
On August 23, the mastermind of the 2016 Nabha jailbreak, Ramanjit Singh alias Romi, was remanded in two weeks of judicial custody by a duty magistrate in Patiala in Patiala district. Romi was extradited from Hong Kong on August 22. His advocate confirmed that Romi has agreed to face trial without interrogation.
22-Aug-2024
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 22 facilitated the return of Ramanjit Singh, wanted for his involvement in the 2016 Nabha jailbreak, from Hong Kong. The Punjab Police had issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) through Interpol, leading to his extradition after his location was traced in 2018. Singh was linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and was a key conspirator in the jailbreak that freed six notorious criminals, including terrorists.
22-Aug-2024
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda Member of Parliament (MP) Harsimrat Kaur Badal, on August 22, appealed to External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar via a letter to secure the release of two ‘swaroops’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib seized by police in Qatar eight months ago. She urged Dr. Jaishankar to intervene, facilitate the establishment of gurdwaras in Qatar, and direct the Indian Embassy to address the concerns of Sikhs practicing their faith freely in the country.
22-Aug-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 22 overturned the 2002 acquittal of a 56-year-old man in a 1999 case involving 70 bags of poppy husk. The court convicted the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, sentencing him to life imprisonment and imposing a fine of INR 1 lakh. The court found that the accused had knowingly and voluntarily possessed a commercial quantity of poppy husk, justifying the stringent sentence under the NDPS Act.