KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
15-Mar-2024
The Phagwara Police on March 15 arrested a criminal identified as Dildar Singh and seized one pistol, nine live cartridges, INR 9.80 lakh in cash, and two passports from him near Haveli Restaurant on the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway in Kapurthala district.
15-Mar-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on March 15 recovered a package containing a pistol, two magazines, and 3.38 kg of heroin during a search operation in fields near Kakkar village in Ajnala tehsil in Amritsar district. Officials noted the presence of a metal hook and an illumination ball attached to the packet, indicating that it had been dropped by a drone.
14-Mar-2024
Social media platforms, including YouTube and X, blocked access to a CBC documentary on Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on March 14, following directives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The documentary, part of CBC's 'The Fifth Estate' program, featured CCTV footage of Nijjar's murder in British Columbia and an interview with Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who issued threats against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Some members of the Indo-Canadian community criticized the documentary for being biased and propagandistic.
14-Mar-2024
A sub-committee formed by the Akal Takht in Amritsar, Punjab, to address the hunger strike of Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader and Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates, who were detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Assam, criticized Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann for his perceived lack of seriousness toward Sikh affairs on March 14. The committee also announced that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will provide support for a panthic gathering on March 17 to address the deteriorating conditions of the detainees and their protesting family members.
14-Mar-2024
On the Sikh New Year, on March 14, Dal Khalsa held prayers at Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar in Punjab and released the original Nanakshahi calendar while urging Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to resolve the calendar controversy. They criticised the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for publishing a Bikarmi calendar under the Nanakshahi label for nine years, causing division in the Sikh community. Dal Khalsa appealed for unity and resolution of the calendar dispute, dedicating this year's calendar to the 40th anniversary of the Indian attack on Darbar Sahib.
14-Mar-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 14 detained an unidentified employee from the Patiala health department for allegedly issuing a fake birth certificate to a wanted member in a terrorist-gangster nexus case in Patiala district in Punjab. The detained employee was in charge of the birth and death certificate branch. This action was taken following NIA raids in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan, and Chandigarh in connection with the terrorist-gangster nexus case involving designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, and other suspects associated with the Khalistan terrorist outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). The fake certificate, issued between 2016 and 2017, facilitated the individual's procurement of other documents, including a passport used to flee the country.
14-Mar-2024
A 'Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat' was organized on March 14 by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi, attended by farmers and agricultural laborers from 18 states protesting against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government’s farm policies. The gathering resolved to launch a nationwide agitation against the BJP during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, demanding a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and accusing Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi of unfulfilled promises. They declared March 23 as "Save Democracy from the Threat of Money and Muscle Power Day" and demanded action against Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.
13-Mar-2024
Police from Udyog Vihar Police Station on March 13 seized nearly 600 grams of opium concealed in face cream jars that were sent from Punjab to New Zealand, in Gurugram, Haryana. The parcel raised suspicion when a courier company reported it contained suspicious items. The sender, Mandeep Singh from Punjab, is currently under investigation. The package was intended for Kuldeep Singh in New Zealand.
13-Mar-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police conducted a joint operation on March 13 and recovered a grey bag containing 3.236 kg of heroin, along with a metal hook and illuminating strips attached to it, from a residential premise in Mehandipur village in Tarn Taran district. This well-coordinated effort successfully prevented a narco-syndicate from smuggling narcotics into India from across the border.
13-Mar-2024
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Winston Peters, on March 13 in New Delhi, refrained from commenting on the murder of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar until the investigation concludes, emphasizing respect for the rule of law. His visit to India aimed at strengthening ties, including signing the air services agreement to enhance connectivity between the two countries. Peters met with Indian officials, discussing bilateral cooperation and emphasizing shared democratic values and principles in the Indo-Pacific region.
13-Mar-2024
Despite more than 39 years having passed since the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, 10 states affected by the carnage have yet to file a compliance report regarding compensation for victims with the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). While some Action Taken Reports (ATRs) have been submitted, the absence of compliance reports hinders progress.
13-Mar-2024
Retired Colonel Harisimran Singh wrote to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging police inaction following an attack on him in January 2024, during a clash over the removal of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s portrait at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Baba Deep Singh in Pahuwind village in Tarn Taran district. He filed a complaint on January 28, but no First Information Report (FIR) was lodged, nor was any investigation ordered, prompting him to seek action from higher authorities including the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
13-Mar-2024
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have planned two major events in Haryana. They intend to hold "Shaheedi Samaroh" on March 22 in Hisar and on March 31 in Ambala, honoring the memory of farmer Shubhkaran Singh. Leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced the yatra's plans to cover Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, and other districts in Haryana.
13-Mar-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on March 13 expressed satisfaction over the decision to introduce Punjabi as a subject in schools of Pakistan Punjab. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami welcomed the announcement by Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz, emphasising the significance of teaching Punjabi, the mother tongue of both Punjabs, to the new generation.
12-Mar-2024
On March 12, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at the residences of a flour mill owner in Kotkapura and a goldsmith in Faridkot district in Punjab. Although NIA officials refrained from disclosing details, sources indicate that the raid aimed to investigate phone calls originating from a number registered under the goldsmith's name.
12-Mar-2024
On March 12, employees of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) received threatening audio messages warning of economic destruction from March 12 to April 30, purportedly from Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, coinciding with the 1993 bomb blast anniversary, in Mumbai in Maharashtra. The complainant stated that the audio clip advised caution from March 12 to April 30, with Pannun allegedly recommending the selling of Indian stocks and the purchasing of American ones. Several employees' mobile numbers, listed on the website's Contact Us section, received these audio clips. The Mumbai police registered a case against unknown persons under various sections of the IPC, suspecting Pannun's involvement due to his history of issuing threats against India.
12-Mar-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 12 conducted raids at 30 locations across Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh in connection with a Khalistan-gangster nexus case. Raids were conducted in Bilaspur village in Moga district in Punjab, with state police cooperation. Additionally, raids were conducted at the residence of a businessman in Faridkot district in Punjab.
12-Mar-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on March 12 praised the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, following their notification by the central government. SGPC spokesperson Gurcharan Singh Grewal hailed the decision as beneficial for Sikhs in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
12-Mar-2024
Police on March 12 booked two persons identified as Gabbar and Chandu following the death of a youth identified as Gora, due to alleged overdose of drugs in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
12-Mar-2024
Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), while speaking in Jalalabad, Fazilka district, accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators of colluding with drug lords and hindering police actions against them, thus contributing to the drug menace in Punjab. He lamented the rise of drugs, goondaism, and extortion culture, attributing it to the lack of investment and the migration of entrepreneurs.
12-Mar-2024
The Himachal Pradesh (HP) Criminal Investigation Department (CID)'s crime branch filed a chargesheet against eight individuals from Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for inter-state smuggling of psychotropic substances into HP. The accused were found with over 50,000 capsules and tablets of Tramadol Hydrochloride during a vehicle interception near Shivbaadi Mandir, Gagret, in Una district, HP, in September 2023. Investigations revealed the gang's operations spanning Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and UP, utilizing fake invoices to conceal drug shipments. Verender Kumar alias Bindu, identified as the gang leader, faces asset seizure, including 82 properties, 5 vehicles, and 25 bank accounts worth INR 10 crore.
12-Mar-2024
Police on March 12 arrested the fourth and primary shooter involved in the targeted attack on Punjabi lyricist and composer Bunty Bains, identified as Ranbir Singh alias Rana and seized two pistols, including a .32 bore and a .30 bore, three live cartridges, and a motorcycle from his possession in Phase 1 Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The attack, orchestrated by Armenia-based gangster Lucky Patial of the Davinder Bambiha gang, aimed to extort INR 1 crore from Bains, who manages the music label Brand B and was previously associated with slain singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
11-Mar-2024
The Government of India, on March 11, notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, allowing Indian citizenship for persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, facilitate online applications for eligible individuals under the CAA-2019. Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah emphasized that the legislation aims to provide hope to persecuted minorities and reiterated that it doesn't infringe upon the rights of any Indian citizen.
11-Mar-2024
S. Varinderjeet Singh, Chairman of the National Sikh Front (NSF) Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), advocated for the release of long-incarcerated Sikh political prisoners who have served their sentences while speaking to the media in Jammu on March 11. He urged both the Central and State Governments to compassionately intervene and rectify injustices faced by Sikhs, calling for collaboration with Pakistan to ensure the security and justice of Sikh families, particularly following the tragic killing of Sardar Satnam Singh in Peshawar.
11-Mar-2024
The Chandigarh Police on March 11 invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar and his operatives, including seven members of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang. The gang intended to eliminate gangster Bhupinder Singh Rana during a court hearing, with shooters Sunny alias Sachin, Umang, and Kailash Chauhan alias Tiger planning to disguise as lawyers. Additionally, Maya alias Pooja Sharma was recruited to assist the shooters, while three others provided shelter, money, and transportation. The arms and ammunition for the attack were delivered to the shooters in Chandigarh on Brar's orders.