KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
28-Aug-2023
Top sources within the security establishment on August 28 revealed that Sikh youths are being exploited by Khalistani groups for anti-national propaganda. These groups manipulate the youths' sentiments through social media and indoctrination. Pro-Khalistan groups target Sikh youths, exploiting their vulnerability by showing them footage of the 1984 riots and the Golden Temple operation. Born after 1984, these youths are lured into painting walls and displaying flags for promised rewards of USD 1,000-2,000 per creation. However, as the police swiftly remove the graffiti, the promised payment is withheld, leaving the youths with First Information Reports (FIRs) under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, including charges of waging war against the nation.
28-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, on August 28, recovered 520 grams of heroin in a yellow packet with a hook attached to it, likely dropped by a drone, near the International Border (IB) in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district.
28-Aug-2023
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) General Secretary, GS Grewal on August 28 announced that the SGPC plans to expand its guide program at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, by offering internships to Comparative Studies scholars from universities.
28-Aug-2023
The special investigation team (SIT) on August 28 filed the second supplementary challan (charge sheet) regarding the Kotkapura police firing incident which took place in October 2015, at the court of JMIC in Faridkot in Faridkot district of Punjab. The SIT, led by LK Yadav, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), presented a 56-page charge sheet and 2,446 pages of supporting documents. The case involves former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, and former Director-General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Saini as accused.
28-Aug-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on August 28 was transferred to the high-security ward at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad in Gujrat.
28-Aug-2023
On August 28, during a vehicle inspection, drug smugglers assaulted a police party with sharp-edged weapons and stones, resulting in injuries to Inspector Karanveer Singh and Constable Balwinder Singh, in Dhobiana Basti in Model Town locality of Bathinda district. The Civil Lines police station filed a case against individuals identified as Anarjit, Kamal, Shankar Das, Sheela Devi, Pooja Devi, Rahul among others.
28-Aug-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) on August 28 raised strong objection to scenes in the movie "Yaariyan 2," specifically the song "Saure Ghar," where an actor is depicted wearing the Sikh Kakaar (symbol of Sikh faith) Kirpan in an objectionable manner.
28-Aug-2023
Security in Delhi was heightened on August 28 after pro-Khalistan graffiti appeared, although intelligence agencies haven't received any new threats. Additional paramilitary forces have been deployed, and district officers have been asked to patrol to prevent any further incidents. Controversial slogans were discovered at multiple metro stations, raising concerns ahead of the G20 summit, in which global leaders, including United States (US) President Joe Biden, will be in attendance. While specific intelligence was lacking, officials will now increase the sharing and frequency of Delhi-related inputs for the next two weeks.
28-Aug-2023
The radical leaders, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann and Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh, held a joint press conference on August 28 in Amritsar to announce a conclave named M&N-20, scheduled to take place on September 7 in New Delhi, coinciding with the G20 Summit. The conclave aims to present the perspective of minorities, particularly Sikhs.
28-Aug-2023
A Mohali court on August 28 ordered the framing of charges against Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Jagtar Singh Hawara under the Explosives and Arms Acts, in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The charges leveled against him include criminal conspiracy, illegal firearm activities, and unauthorized explosives possession. The court has scheduled September 18 as the next hearing date for the case. Owing to his status as a "high-risk prisoner," Hawara's physical appearance was postponed. Hawara is currently imprisoned in Tihar Jail in Delhi.
28-Aug-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) secretary, Partap Singh on August 28 filed a complaint with the Amritsar Police Commissioner against the filmmakers of the upcoming movie “Yaariyan-2, due to actor Meezaan Jafri allegedly wearing a Sikh 'kirpan' in the song "Saure Ghar" of the movie. The SGPC claims the portrayal has hurt Sikh sentiments, while the filmmakers argue that the actor is wearing a 'khukri' and not a 'kirpan,' expressing regret for any misunderstanding.
28-Aug-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) secretary, Partap Singh on August 28 filed a complaint with the Amritsar Police Commissioner against the filmmakers of the upcoming movie “Yaariyan-2, due to actor Meezaan Jafri allegedly wearing a Sikh 'kirpan' in the song "Saure Ghar" of the movie. The SGPC claims the portrayal has hurt Sikh sentiments, while the filmmakers argue that the actor is wearing a 'khukri' and not a 'kirpan,' expressing regret for any misunderstanding.
28-Aug-2023
A Delhi court has scheduled a hearing for September 6 in the Pul Bangash killings case involving Senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, in Delhi. The case pertains to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots where three individuals were killed and a gurudwara was set on fire.
28-Aug-2023
Khanna Police on August 28 arrested two individuals, identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Laddi and Gurpreet Singh alias Sodhi and recovered 248 kilograms of poppy husk and 500 grams of opium from their possession, near Dehru in Khanna tehsil of Ludhiana district.
27-Aug-2023
Ahead of the G20 Summit in Delhi, the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) activists on August 27 defaced at least five Metro stations in New Delhi: Shivaji Park, Madipur, Paschim Vihar, Udyog Nagar, and Maharaja Surajmal Stadium, with pro-Khalistan graffiti. The graffiti included slogans such as "Delhi Banega Khalistan" and "Khalistan Zindabad." Meanwhile, a video featuring SFJ's chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, emerged on social media, where Pannun stated that the Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is the target of the "battle of G20 Pragati Maidan." He also mentioned that during the G-20 summit in Delhi on September 10, they intend to conduct a Khalistan referendum in Canada. In response, Delhi Police have taken legal action and registered a case under relevant sections.
27-Aug-2023
The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has come under scrutiny for not including the Punjabi language in its official press releases, which are solely in Hindi. This has sparked concerns among pro-Punjabi activists, journalists, and Sikh intellectuals in Haryana, who question the committee's intentions.
27-Aug-2023
Slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s father Balkaur Singh on August 27 accused Punjab Police of providing VIP treatment to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, the mastermind behind his son's murder, while addressing a gathering at Moosa village in Mansa Tehsil in Mansa district of Punjab.
27-Aug-2023
According to sources, the Delhi Police's Special Cell is set to investigate the pro-Khalistan graffiti incident at multiple metro stations in Delhi, invoking legal sections including Indian Penal Code (IPC) 153, 153A, 505, and Defacement Act's section 3. The suspected involvement of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) activists is being probed, with the Special Cell already looking into SFJ-related cases. The pro-Khalistani graffiti challenging India's sovereignty was found at over seven metro stations on August 27, along with a government school - Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya Nangloi.
27-Aug-2023
Khanna Police on August 27 arrested two persons, identified as Yousuf Masih and Gogo Devi and recovered 150 kilograms of poppy husk from their possession near Maloud in Ludhiana district.
27-Aug-2023
Khanna Police on August 27 revealed that they have secured approval to freeze properties valued at INR 4.74 crore linked to drug peddlers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in Khanna in Ludhiana district of Punjab. The properties of 13 individuals will be seized.
27-Aug-2023
Police arrested siblings, identified as Karanvir Kaur and Gurpreet Singh for allegedly selling heroin to Manpreet Singh, who died of drug overdose on August 25, and recovered 5 grams of heroin and Rs 25,000 drug money from them, in Bhaloor village in Moga district. Based on the investigation, it was found that Manpreet obtained drugs from the siblings residing in the same village, who are also involved in selling heroin.
27-Aug-2023
Punjab Police’s Special Task Force (STF) on August 27 arrested an alleged drug smuggler, identified as Partap Singh, and recovered 350 grams of heroin from his possession near Rayya in Amritsar district. The STF received intelligence about his smuggling activities and attempted to apprehend him at a checkpoint near Dunial village in Baba Bakala tehsil of Amritsar district. The suspect fired at the police, prompting them to return fire and injure him. According to Jagjit Singh Soroa, Assistant Inspector General (AIG), STF, Jalandhar, Singh has been hospitalised and will be quizzed after discharge.
26-Aug-2023
Five farmer organizations, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), All India Kisan Federation, Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Punjab), Bharti Kisan Union (Mansa), and Azad Kisan Sangharsh, on August 26 held a meeting in Chandigarh to plan mass dharnas on September 4 at district headquarters in Punjab, demanding fair compensation for flood-affected individuals. The groups will submit memorandums to deputy commissioners during the protests.
26-Aug-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on August 26 criticized Governor Banwarilal Purohit for sending a letter warning of potential President's Rule and alleging a failure of the constitutional machinery in the state. Mann stated that law and order are under control, addressing concerns raised about the state's condition. He accused the Governor of displaying hunger for power and emphasized that the state government is actively addressing flood relief and challenges in releasing funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Mann urged Purohit to prioritize addressing the state's concerns instead of pursuing power.
26-Aug-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on August 26 opposed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s attempts to control gurdwaras and expressed its disagreement with the imposition of President's rule in Punjab. He also emphasized the need for Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to respect constitutional authorities.