KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
01-Jul-2024
A group of dissident leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) approached the Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar on July 1, seeking atonement for four major 'mistakes' they believe led to the party's decline between 2007 and 2017. These included the mishandling of sacrilege cases and controversial decisions by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party has faced continuous electoral losses since 2017, with recent rifts further weakening its position. Political commentator Harjeshwar Singh cited additional factors, such as the party's stance on farm laws and the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as contributing to its downfall.
01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 foiled an infiltration attempt by neutralizing a Pakistani intruder near Sadarpura village in Abohar, Fazilka district. The intruder, after being spotted, ignored warnings and continued towards the security fence, prompting BSF troops to fire. The BSF stated that this action thwarted the plans of cross-border terror syndicates, maintaining a high alert at the border.
01-Jul-2024
Radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, who won the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Punjab, is set to take his oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) after approval was granted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Singh, currently in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail, won as an independent candidate by over 4 lakh votes and faces 12 cases, including charges involving illegal weapons. His arrest under the National Security Act (NSA) was extended by one year.
01-Jul-2024
Dal Khalsa leaders, expressing concern over the misuse of the Akal Takht for political gains by warring Akali factions, met with Jathedar Gaini Raghbir Singh in Amritsar, Punjab, on July 1. They criticized the Akali Dal's leadership for their political blunders and shifting loyalties, which have led to a loss of credibility among Sikhs. After the meeting, party president Paramjit Singh Mand, speaking to the media, called for an overhaul of the Akali Dal's leadership and structure, urging the Jathedar to take command and consult with panthic experts to address the crisis.
01-Jul-2024
Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders on July 1 apologized to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh for mistakes made during their party's rule from 2007 to 2017, including failures related to the 2015 sacrilege incidents and the pardoning of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. They held SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal responsible and sought forgiveness, expressing readiness to face any punishment as per Sikh tenets.
01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 recovered a large packet containing 2.320 kg of heroin near the garbage dump of Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 recovered a packet wrapped in white cloth containing 545 grams of heroin on the outskirts of Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
01-Jul-2024
Police on July 1 arrested four members of the Shishu gang, identified as Jagsir Singh alias Shishu, Vicky alias Sundi, Kapil, and Sachin, from Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
01-Jul-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on July 1 criticized the rebel Akali group for visiting the home of radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar district before meeting the Akal Takht Jathedar in Amritsar, accusing them of prioritizing politics over religious duties. The rebels, including leaders such as Prem Singh Chandumajra and Jagir Kaur, submitted a letter to the Akal Takht listing mistakes made during the SAD-BJP rule from 2007 to 2017.
01-Jul-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on July 1 arrested a member of the Bambiha group involved in an extortion racket, identified as Harjeet Singh alias Pokhi in Faridkot in Faridkot district.
01-Jul-2024
The police initiated a massive search operation on July 1 after a woman named Asha Rani reported seeing two suspected militants carrying bags in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur district, Punjab. The description matched sightings in Pathankot on June 25.
01-Jul-2024
One Pakistani inmate, identified as Zafar Alam, died after a quarrel with fellow Pakistani inmate Sahib in Amritsar Central Jail, Punjab, on July 1. Alam, who suffered a fatal head injury during the scuffle, was taken to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Alam had completed his jail term in 2011 but remained in prison due to pending verification from Pakistani authorities.
01-Jul-2024
Following the alleged drug overdose death of policeman Gursewak Singh, the police on July 1 arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Balkar and Karanjit, and booked three others, identified as Golu, Ajay, and Bheju, in Amritsar, Amritsar district. Gursewak, who was on leave from his post in Ludhiana, was found dead under a tree. The cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy report, expected in two to three days.
30-Jun-2024
A case was registered on June 30 against a Facebook user identified as Vish Singh for posting objectionable content against the Sikh community on June 21 at Kotwali Nagar police station in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). The complaint, filed by Municipal Corporation councillor Abhishek Tinku, led to charges under sections 295-A and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and section 67 of the IT Act.
30-Jun-2024
On June 30, Dal Khalsa's leadership met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, urging him to assume leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to prevent its factions from misusing Sikhism's supreme temporal seat for their interests. Dal Khalsa’s working president, Paramjit Singh Mand, proposed dissolving the current SAD structure and consulting panthic experts, intellectuals, and people of integrity to address the party's challenges.
30-Jun-2024
On June 30, Indian Sikh yatrees (pilgrims) returned to India via the Wagah border crossing in Amritsar district in Punjab after completing a 10-day visit marking the 185th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
30-Jun-2024
Amritsar Police on June 30 busted a local network of drug suppliers and arrested six individuals identified as Yuvraj Singh, Ranjit Singh, Prabhjit Singh, Jagroop Singh, Mangal Singh, and Akashdeep Singh and seized 1 kg of heroin, 500 grams of ICE (methamphetamine), INR 5 lakh of drug money, three 12-bore rifles, along with gold jewellery, two vehicles, and nine mobile phones from their possession in Amritsar district. Police stated that the suspects were reportedly in contact with a United Kingdom (UK)-based gangster named Gopi.
30-Jun-2024
Police on June 30 arrested five shooters belonging to the gang of Canada-based designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, identified as Jashanpreet Singh alias Kala, Gursharan Singh, Harmanjit Singh, Gurbaj Singh, and Amritpal Singh and seized three 30-bore pistols with two cartridges and one 32-bore revolver from their possession in Jalandhar district. Police stated that the arrests were made following a complaint by a security guard and revealed that the gang members were acting on orders from Landa, involved in arms smuggling, extortion, and contract killings.
29-Jun-2024
Another aide of Khalistani preacher, Member of Parliament (MP)-elect, and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh, identified as Kulwant Singh Rauke, who is also detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail, is set to contest the Barnala Assembly bypoll, as announced by his brother Maha Singh.
29-Jun-2024
Panthic organizations, which supported Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa in the recent Lok Sabha polls, have decided not to back any candidate in the Jalandhar West bypoll on July 10. They are still considering their stance for the upcoming bypolls in Barnala, Gidderbaha, Chabbewal, and Dera Baba Nanak.
29-Jun-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld the cancellation report filed by Punjab Police in a case against singer Gurdas Maan under Section 295-A IPC for allegedly offending Sikh religious sentiments. The court found no evidence that Maan's statement about Laddi Shah being a descendant of the third Sikh Guru was intended to maliciously outrage religious feelings. The court emphasized the importance of protecting free speech and noted that Maan's actions lacked the necessary intent to provoke public disorder. Maan's apology was also considered in the court's decision.
29-Jun-2024
Members of Sikh organizations, led by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Karnail Singh Panjoli, held a protest march on June 29 demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences, as well as the release of Khalistani preacher, Member of Parliament (MP)-elect, and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh, at Fatehgarh Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
29-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 29 recovered 560 grams of heroin from fields outside Mahawa village in Amritsar district.
29-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 29 recovered 5.570 kg of heroin, dropped by a Pakistani drone, near Kakkar village in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
29-Jun-2024
In Jeobala village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab, the month of June witnessed four deaths due to drug overdoses, involving individuals identified as Karamjit Singh, Shera Singh, Sharanjit Singh, and Daler Sharma. Expressing anger and dismay, villagers accused the government of failing to curb drug peddling. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sandeep Kumar and Goindwal Sahib Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ravisher Singh promised stringent measures against traffickers and called for public cooperation.