KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Muhammad Yasin alias Soni and Muhammad Rafi, and seized 3.5 kg of prohibited hashish from their possession in the Khushal Basti locality in Malerkotla district.
17-Dec-2023
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while speaking at an event organized by the Rotary Institute in Bangalore, Karnataka, on December 17, highlighted differences in the approaches of the United States (US) and Canada regarding their concerns with India. Jaishankar pointed out that while the US shared specific inputs accusing Indian national Nikhil Gupta of plotting an assassination, Canada did not provide such details regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar emphasized India's openness to addressing concerns and called for the expansion of permanent members in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
17-Dec-2023
The investigation into pro-Khalistan slogans near Chintpurni Temple in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh has taken a global turn, revealing a direct link to funding from Dubai. The three arrested individuals, Phool Chand, Arjinder Singh, and Harry Phillaur, disclosed receiving INR 25,000 from a Dubai source through an online medium for writing controversial slogans. This revelation raises concerns about external involvement in fostering anti-national sentiments, prompting authorities to seek custody for a more extensive investigation and to explore potential connections to similar incidents.
17-Dec-2023
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on December 17commemorated Guru Teg Bahadur's martyrdom, praising the Sikh Guru for his sacrifice for freedom and human dignity on the social media site X.
17-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police on December 17 recovered 545 grams of heroin along with a drone from the farming field adjacent to Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a Made in China 'Quadcopter' DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
17-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police on December 17 recovered 544 grams of heroin, from the outskirts of Attari village in Amritsar district.
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested an individual identified as Jaskaranjit Singh alias Karan and seized 2 kg of heroin and INR 1,02,000 drug money from his possession in Nawanshahr in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested two brothers and seized 300 grams of heroin from their possession, near Subhanpur village in Kapurthala district.
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested an unidentified woman and seized 250 grams of heroin from her possession in Kapurthala in Kapurthala district.
17-Dec-2023
Police, on December 17, arrested three individuals alleged to be associated with the Bambiha gang, identified as Shankar Rajput, Jashav, and Navdeep from Daudar village in Moga district. The suspects were intercepted at a checkpoint, attempted to flee, and engaged in gunfire with the police. They eventually surrendered and were revealed to be associates of Bambiha gang members Lucky Patial and Mandeep Dhaliwal.
17-Dec-2023
According to reports, under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, the Punjab Police has adopted a stringent approach against gangsters, with seven encounters occurring in the last three weeks in Ludhiana, Mansa, Patiala, and Mohali districts of Punjab. The recent strategy involves taking decisive action against criminals who attempt to escape, shoot at law enforcement, or target civilians. Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann has reportedly given the police a green light to address the issue of gangsters in the state, marking a notable shift in policy. The government aims to send a strong message to gangsters and discourage criminal activities.
16-Dec-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced on December 16, during a press conference in Amritsar, that it has decided to postpone the December 20 protest in New Delhi. The protest was initially aimed at advocating for the release of Sikh prisoners and commuting the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana. The decision was made in the interest of maintaining unity within the five-member committee formed to engage in talks with the Centre on the release of Sikh prisoners. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that the protest, which had been scheduled for December 20, is deferred for the larger benefit of the Sikh community. The SGPC had gathered approximately 26 lakh signatures during its campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners.
16-Dec-2023
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on December 16 accused Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann of allowing drug trafficking in jails, alleging that drug tablets are being sold. Sidhu challenged this statement and offered to leave politics if proven wrong.
16-Dec-2023
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Punjab Police on December 16 shot two gangsters identified as Karamjit Singh and Parambir Singh alias Prince, during an interception in Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The duo, linked to carjackings, extortion, and property dealer crimes, had stolen a car in November. Despite warning shots, the suspects attempted to flee, leading to the police shooting them.
16-Dec-2023
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Anurag Thakur, on December 16, while addressing the Parliament, revealed that over the past two years, the Indian government has blocked public access to 122 YouTube news channels. This action was taken due to the dissemination of content that violated Section 69A of the IT Act, in accordance with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rule, 2021. Thakur also emphasized that the government has implemented appropriate measures against channels found in violation of the prescribed codes.
15-Dec-2023
Three motorcyclists fired upon a car in an apparent case of extortion in Jalandhar district on December 15. The incident caused panic in the area, but no injuries were reported. The targeted car belonged to a travel agent, and further details are awaited.
15-Dec-2023
Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, indicted in the United States (US) for plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, allegedly at the behest of an Indian government official, on December 15 approached the Supreme Court of India against his arrest and ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic. The court has scheduled the petition for a hearing on January 4, 2024. Gupta's plea alleges irregularities in his arrest and claims violations of his rights, including denial of consular access and being forced to consume beef and pork while in custody in the Czech Republic. The extradition order is pending legal proceedings in the high court in Prague, Czech Republic.
15-Dec-2023
The Punjab Police State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on December 15 arrested Deep Singh, a member of the Bir Khalsa Group known for its stunts on America's Got Talent and holding a Guinness World Record, and recovered 500 grams of heroin from his possession in Tarn Taran district.
15-Dec-2023
Police of December 15 arrested two persons, identified as Sandeep Singh and his mother Manjit Kaur during a raid at a tea stall and seized 10 kg of poppy husk, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
15-Dec-2023
Police on December 15 arrested an individual identified as Rakesh and seized 220 intoxicating pills from his possession in Himmatpura in Fazilka district.
15-Dec-2023
According to reports, the Border Security Force (BSF) has urged Punjab Police to take 75 notorious smugglers and their associates into preventive custody during the upcoming foggy season to curb cross-border drug smuggling. The list, sent by the BSF to Punjab Police, indicates that Tarn Taran has the highest number with 23 smugglers, followed by Ferozepur with 20. The BSF emphasized the need for preventive detention due to traditional smuggling routes exploiting dense fog, especially in bordering districts such as Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka. Punjab Police has been directed to take action under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1988.
15-Dec-2023
The pro-Khalistan campaign, originating from Canada, has reportedly extended its reach to Madhya Pradesh (MP), where residents in Bhopal have reported receiving phone calls from London. A recorded message from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun alleges that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of MP are responsible for atrocities against Sikhs, urging support for the Khalistan movement.
15-Dec-2023
Punjab Police on December 15 arrested a close aide of Khalistan sympathizer and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh, identified as Kulwant Singh in Moga district. He was subsequently produced in court and received a 4-day remand.
15-Dec-2023
United States (US) President Joe Biden will not attend India's Republic Day celebrations and the QUAD Summit has been postponed until 2024 due to the proximity to the State of the Union and political constraints on foreign travel during this time.
14-Dec-2023
According to reports, in the last three years, Punjab witnessed the highest number of women drug smugglers arrested in India, with 3,164 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In 2022 alone, Punjab accounted for 1,448 arrests, constituting nearly 35% of the total 4,146 arrests of women drug smugglers in the country that year. The government is addressing the issue through initiatives such as the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction.