KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Feb-2024
According to sources, it was revealed that gangster Rajan Bhatti’s association with Punjab-based drug smugglers began during his incarceration in New Delhi's Tihar Jail, where he came in contact with them. Upon his release in April 2023, Bhatti engaged in heroin smuggling facilitated by his contacts in Uganda, with shipments originating from Afghanistan and processed in East African countries like Kenya and Uganda. The heroin, sold at lower prices in Punjab, was distributed locally, with proceeds laundered through hawala channels. Bhatti's network also extended to illegal arms procurement, as evidenced by a recent weapons consignment arranged by associates from Madhya Pradesh (MP).
16-Feb-2024
The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government objected to the Centre's invocation of special powers under the British-era Telegraph Act of 1886 to ban mobile internet in Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts of Punjab from February 12 to 16, citing a public emergency and law-and-order concerns based on Intelligence Bureau (IB) reports. Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on February 15, protested during a meeting with Union ministers, asserting that the Centre had bypassed the state government's authority. While the Centre claimed no obligation to inform the state, Punjab officials highlighted the rare instance of the Union government issuing internet suspension orders outside Delhi. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) issued orders on February 12, invoking the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services rules, affecting specific areas in the mentioned districts, with a brief ban in Bathinda, Mansa, and Barnala.
16-Feb-2024
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on February 16 raided the house of international drug smuggler Akshay Chhabra and seized five of his vehicles, worth around RUB 44.50 million, near Dugri in Ludhiana district. These vehicles were allegedly purchased with drug money. Earlier, on November 15, 2022, the NCB Chandigarh team had recovered a staggering 20,326 kg of heroin from Chhabra. This latest raid underscores the authorities' ongoing efforts to crack down on drug trafficking networks operating within the region.
15-Feb-2024
After two days of confrontation, the situation at the Shambhu border between protesting farmers and Haryana Police remained relatively calm on February 15, near Shambhu village in Patiala district of Punjab. No attempts were made by farmers to enter Haryana, leading to a decrease in tension. Farmers continued to camp at the border, delaying their march towards Delhi as they awaited the outcome of meetings between their leaders and Union ministers.
15-Feb-2024
Police on February 15 arrested three persons identified as Lovpreet Singh, Sher Singh Shera and Jajbir Singh and seized 310 gm of heroin from their possession, in Van Tara Singh village in Tarn Taran district.
15-Feb-2024
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on February 15 urged the Prime Minister to intervene and address farmers' demands, including a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP), in Chandigarh. The ministers—Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai—are set to meet with farmers to discuss their grievances.
15-Feb-2024
Lakha Sidhana, a former gangster turned pro-Khalistan activist, was spotted at Delhi's farmer protest sites, urging defiance against police barricades. With a history of criminal activity and political involvement, Sidhana's presence has heightened security concerns, given his pending cases and prior association with militant groups. In his statements, he accused the government of exploiting farmers and called for regime change, raising fears of violence amidst the already tense protests against new agricultural laws.
15-Feb-2024
A video circulating on social media shows an alleged farmer expressing fervent anti-Indian sentiments amidst the ongoing farmer protests in India. In the video, the farmer passionately appeals to the international community for intervention, citing perceived injustices and sacrifices made by Punjabis. He can be seen stating, 'We appeal to the international community to intervene. We don't want to live with these people (Indians).' Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Khattar has criticized the farmers' methods, particularly their planned march towards Delhi, likening it to an army offensive. Despite resistance, predominantly Punjab farmers remain steadfast at border points, awaiting the Centre's proposals before deciding on their next move, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding the protests.
15-Feb-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced on February 15 that its offices and educational institutions would remain closed on February 16 in solidarity with the Bharat Bandh (shutdown) called by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and farmers' unions of India. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami emphasized the significance of farmers in the country's economy, urging the government to promptly address their demands to preserve farming culture and ensure farmers' well-being.
15-Feb-2024
On February 15, Harjinder Singh Dhami, the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), strongly condemned the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee's (HSGMC) violation of etiquette at historic Gurdwaras. He highlighted police accommodation in Guru Ghars during the farmers' protests, alleging alcohol and drug consumption by officers, which hurt Sikh sentiments. Dhami warned against government influence on Gurdwara Committees and called for the protection of sacred places from arbitrary actions. He appealed to Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to address these incidents promptly.
15-Feb-2024
Police on February 15 arrested two unidentified opium smugglers and seized 1 kg of opium from their possession in Kanal in Bathinda in Bathinda district. The court ordered the accused to be remanded into police custody for 2 days.
15-Feb-2024
An internet ban has been imposed in three Punjab districts - Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib - until February 16, amidst intermittent shelling and tear gas at the Shambhu border near Shambhu village in Patiala district in Punjab. The agitation, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), seeks Minimum Support Price (MSP) laws and other farmer-centric reforms, while security measures, including the use of Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), are heightened at protest sites.
14-Feb-2024
Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, denounced the portrayal of farmers with false narratives during a press conference in New Delhi on February 14. He rebutted allegations of affiliations with Khalistan, left-wing, or political parties, asserting that farmers agitate irrespective of political ties. Pandher urged the Prime Minister to enact legislation guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) and criticized accusations of expanding demands, emphasizing consistency in their objectives and willingness for dialogue.
14-Feb-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Punjab Police on February 14 arrested two drug peddlers identified as Vikash and Honey and seized over 1 kg of heroin from their possession in Chheharta in Amritsar district. Further investigation revealed their involvement in drug trafficking in the Chheharta area, prompting ongoing raids to arrest their suppliers.
14-Feb-2024
According to sources, on February 14, the second day of the 'Dilli Chalo' protest, approximately 50 farmers were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas fired by Haryana Police at Shambhu border near Shambhu village in Patiala district. Additionally, 12 farmers were injured at Khanauri in Sangrur district. The Punjab Government activated medical teams and ambulances, pledging to cover the treatment costs for the injured. Union leaders emphasized the need for dialogue with the government while highlighting the tense atmosphere hindering discussions.
14-Feb-2024
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) on February 14 arrested a key figure involved in procuring illegal firearms from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on behalf of the notorious Vicky Tyagi gang, identified as Vinay Tyagi, from near Mawana Bus Stand in Meerut district in UP. Vinay disclosed that Rakshit Tyagi, Vicky's son, was his associate and managed to escape arrest. Vinay admitted to supplying weapons to Rakshit, underscoring Rakshit's pivotal role.
13-Feb-2024
According to sources, at least 13 individuals, including journalists, suffered severe injuries as the Haryana Police fired tear gas shells to prevent protesting farmers from forcibly entering Haryana via the Shambhu border near Shambhu village in the Patiala district of Punjab. Additionally, over 10 security personnel were injured due to stone-throwing by the farmers.
13-Feb-2024
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on February 13 stated that the government has done more for the farm sector than the UPA government and remains open to further discussions despite the breakdown of talks with farmers in Chandigarh. He also emphasized the need for broader discussions on new farmer issues and reiterated the government's commitment to farmer welfare. Thakur pointed out a significant increase in the agriculture budget under the Modi government, from INR 27,662 crore in 2013-14 to over INR 1.25 lakh crore presently. He highlighted initiatives such as the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and crop insurance benefits. Thakur also emphasized the government's investment in irrigation schemes and stressed the importance of comprehensive dialogue to address farmer concerns.
13-Feb-2024
On February 13, a viral video surfaced, depicting a supposed protester from the farmers' protest advocating for Khalistan and expressing a willingness to join Pakistan. This has led to accusations of radical separatist infiltration in the ongoing farmers' protest in India.
13-Feb-2024
Haryana Police used tear gas and drones to disperse farmers advancing towards Delhi. Despite a meeting with Union ministers yielding no results, farmers remain determined to continue their 'Delhi Chalo' march, intensifying pressure on the government. The presence of diverse motivations within the protest movement and potential radical elements advocating for separatist causes has prompted widespread discussion.
13-Feb-2024
Police on February 13 arrested an individual named Adil Manzoor Langoo for killing two migrant workers from Punjab in Srinagar on February 7, from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. The investigations revealed that Langoo, who was in contact with a handler in Pakistan, conspired to commit the crime. The victims, Amritpal Singh and Rohit Masih, were targeted in a terrorist attack claimed by ‘The Resistance Front (TRF)’, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Langoo was provided with the weapon by his handler, further motivating the attack.
13-Feb-2024
Police on February 13 seized 520 grams of heroin from fields behind a house in Daoke village in Amritsar district, following a tip-off. The villagers aided in the operation. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered against unidentified individuals.
12-Feb-2024
Police on February 12 arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Sarwan Singh and Sukhdev Singh and seized 2 kg of heroin from their possession at a checkpoint near Defence Drain Bridge in Gharindi village in Amritsar district. They were apprehended while transporting the heroin in a white Alto car, allegedly obtained from Pakistan via drones. The suspects attempted to evade capture, but their car overturned during a police chase. Both were injured and taken to the hospital before being detained.
12-Feb-2024
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), released a video on February 12 urging Indian farmers to seize Delhi and hoist Khalistan flags. This action has intensified concerns about radical infiltration within the ongoing protest movement. In the video, Pannun specifically calls for placing Khalistan flags on the chest and house of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Furthermore, he attempts to fuel the Khalistani movement by invoking the names of deceased youth from Punjab who were victims of terrorism. Pannun’s call to action highlights the efforts to hijack the farmers’ protest for separatist agendas.
12-Feb-2024
The "Dilli Chalo" protest by farmers is set to begin on the morning of February 13 despite heavy deployment of forces, as negotiations between farmer leaders and Union ministers failed.