KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
18-Aug-2023
Harsimrat Kaur, the Member of Parliament (MP) from Bathinda, on August 18, wrote a letter addressed to the Union Home Minister (UHM), Amit Shah, urging him to commute Balwant Singh Rajoana's death sentence to life imprisonment and to expedite his release on humanitarian grounds. She referred to Rajoana as a 'dharmi' (faith defender) prisoner. Balwant Singh Rajoana was convicted for his involvement in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh.
18-Aug-2023
On August 18, in accordance with the directions of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) issued a circular urging gurdwara managements to discourage the practice of offering toys as offerings by devotees.
18-Aug-2023
A Tarn Taran court on August 18 sent three members of an alleged terror module identified as Ashmpreet Singh, Pardeep Singh and Sukhmanpreet, to judicial custody after the expiry of their police remand in Tarn Taran, in Tarn Taran district. They were part of a terror module run by Gurdev Singh alias Jaisel operating from the Czech Republic. Investigations revealed their involvement in delivering weapons and funds, with Jaisel being connected to gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and Satbir Singh Satta.
17-Aug-2023
A Mohali court on August 17 declared sacked Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Raj Jit Singh a proclaimed offender (PO) after he failed to appear in court regarding a drug smuggling case and other charges, including extortion and forgery, for which he was dismissed by the state government. The court rejected Singh's request to postpone the proclamation proceedings, stating it was an attempt to cause delay.
17-Aug-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on August 17 issued a 'last opportunity' to the Mohali administration and the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) to resolve the issue of the encampment near the Chandigarh-Mohali border in Punjab. The court emphasized the importance of keeping roads open. The QIM had maintained the encampment since January 7, 2022, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, despite a decline in the number of protesters.
17-Aug-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 17 was granted a six-day extension of remand for two key terror operatives, identified as Manpreet Singh alias Peeta and Mandeep Singh, linked to Canada-based ‘listed terrorist’ Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, by a special court in Delhi. Both were arrested upon their arrival from Manila, Philippines and were wanted for their involvement in terror acts, including funding and supporting banned terrorist organizations like Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) in India.
17-Aug-2023
The Khanna Police on August 17 announced that they had busted an interstate weapons supply gang and arrested five of its members. On August 4, the police arrested Bikram Singh, Daljeet Singh, Jashandeep Singh, and Jashanpreet Singh, recovering a .32 bore pistol from them at the Punjab PUNSUP Godown in Doraha, Ludhiana district, Punjab. Based on information revealed during questioning, the police arrested Vapinder Singh and recovered three .32 bore pistols from him in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh on August 13.
17-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 17 produced gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in Chandigarh District Court related to the murder case of property dealer Rajveer alias Sonu Shah who was killed at his office in 2019. Bishnoi, the main accused, was presented with heightened security measures due to security concerns. Earlier, Bishnoi had claimed responsibility for the murder on social media. He is also accused in other high-profile cases, including the murder of singer-politician Sidhu Moosewala.
17-Aug-2023
Police on August 17 nominated gangster Vikramjeet Singh alias Vikram Brar, a close associate of Lawrence Bishnoi, as the mastermind behind the hoisting of a Khalistan flag at the Faridkot court complex and the painting of pro-Khalistan graffiti on a judge's residence in the Faridkot district in November 2022. Brar was produced before the Faridkot judicial magistrate on August 17 and was remanded in one-day police custody. The crime was carried out based on directions from Brar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned Khalistani organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), as revealed by the perpetrator.
17-Aug-2023
According to officials, narcotic smugglers based in Pakistan have adopted a new tactic of using small drones to drop drug payloads into Indian territory, specifically in Punjab. These small drones are difficult to detect due to their quiet flight and long-range capabilities. About 70% of the drones intercepted in the first seven months of the year were small-sized, often manufactured by the Chinese company DJI. These drones are equipped with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities and high-definition cameras, and they are used to drop small quantities of drugs, posing a challenge for security agencies along the border.
17-Aug-2023
Jalandhar Rural Police on August 17 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Joga Singh and seized 8 kilograms of heroin from his possession in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. Singh is believed to have retrieved the heroin consignment from Pakistan through trans-border networks, according to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
16-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police in a joint operation on August 16 recovered a bottle filled with 200 gm of heroin on the outskirts of Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district.
16-Aug-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on August 16 organized an ardas (Sikh prayer) at Akal Takht in Amritsar, Punjab, for the second consecutive year, commemorating Punjabis who died in communal violence during the Partition of India. The ardas followed the conclusion of an Akhand Path and Gurbani kirtan.
16-Aug-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police, during a joint search operation on August 16, recovered 2.8 kilograms of heroin on the outskirts of Machiwara village in Ferozepur district.
16-Aug-2023
The Punjab Police on August 16 arrested five individuals linked to the Bambiha gang for their involvement in a series of looting incidents and recovered weapons from them, including an SLR rifle in Bathinda District. The suspects had also snatched a police officer's SLR during a previous encounter with law enforcement.
16-Aug-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court was on August 16 informed by a sentence review board that a decision regarding Davinderpal Singh Bhullar’s release will be made within four weeks. Bhullar, a convict in the 1993 Delhi blast case, is seeking premature release, claiming a violation of constitutional rights. Having completed over 27 years of his sentence, which exceeds the required term, his case has faced repeated deferrals.
15-Aug-2023
The 77th Independence Day celebrations took place on August 15 at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post on the Indo-Pak border near Amritsar in Amritsar district of Punjab.
15-Aug-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on August 15 pledged to make the state drug-free by the next Independence Day, emphasizing a comprehensive strategy to combat drug addiction. He attributed unemployment as the root cause of drug issues and highlighted upcoming investments to provide employment opportunities for the youth.
15-Aug-2023
During the Independence Day celebrations at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium on August 15, Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri highlighted Punjab's significant role in India's Independence movement in Jalandhar district. He noted the origins of freedom movements like Kuka, Pagri Sambhal, Gadar, and Babbar Akali in Punjab.
15-Aug-2023
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) on August 15 agreed to conduct the procession in Mohali after they were denied permission by Chandigarh Police to hold a protest march in Chandigarh. The decision came shortly before their scheduled protest, and the new route includes various locations in Mohali while avoiding Chandigarh. The group staged a protest in Mohali seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana - a convict in former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh's assassination and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar - 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict. The group has been protesting since January 7, 2023.
15-Aug-2023
A minor skirmish occurred between the demonstrators and the police on August 15 at the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) organised protest rally at the Chandigarh-Mohali border in Punjab. The rally featured masked carrying black, yellow and saffron flags along with carrying swords, spears and traditional weapons, cars, SUVs, tractors, and participants from various religious and farmer groups.
15-Aug-2023
A Khalistani supporter disrupted a children's Tiranga (tricolour) rally in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, on India's Independence Day, August 15. The Khalistani supporter claimed that 'Punjab is a separate nation.' The video of the incident was captured on camera and is circulating on social media.
14-Aug-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on August 14 recalled the significant sacrifices Punjabis on both sides of the border made for freedom. He mentioned that around 10 lakh people were killed during that time. He emphasized the commonalities shared by people on both sides, including language and culture, and highlighted the enduring nature of Punjabi unity, as demonstrated by their interactions and meetings at places like Kartarpur Sahib. Mann also recalled historical events, such as the objection by Sher Nawab Khan of Malerkotla to the bricking alive of Chote Sahibzadas during Sikh history.
14-Aug-2023
A Punjab Police official stated on August 14 that Punjab Police has confiscated 99 kg of heroin and arrested 316 drug suppliers through 231 FIRs, including 30 for carrying commercial quantities, during the previous week. Additionally, they seized 9 kg of opium, 11 kg of Ganja (Marijuana), and 3 quintals of poppy husk, along with other drugs and drug money. Over the past 13 months, the police have arrested a total of 18,079 drug smugglers, including significant players, and registered 13,458 FIRs, 1,630 of which relate to commercial drug quantities. According to Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Sukhchain Singh Gill, over the past 13 months, police teams have recovered a total of 1,407 kg of heroin.
14-Aug-2023
Security has been heightened since August 14 due to plans by a pro-Khalistan group, the Quami Insaaf Morcha (QIM), to march from Mohali, Punjab, towards Chandigarh on August 15, Independence Day. The purpose of the march is to demand the release of Sikh prisoners. The police have bolstered security measures, focusing particularly on the Chandigarh-Mohali border where previous clashes between protesters and law enforcement have occurred. The group is advocating for the release of Sikh prisoners, among them Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, a convict in the 1993 Delhi bomb blast case. The group has been engaged in protests for several months.