KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
24-Apr-2023
Police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Sikander and Mani along with 70-gram heroin in Doraha in Ludhiana district on April 24. An Assistant Sub-Inspector was seriously injured when he tried to stop them at a naka in Doraha.
24-Apr-2023
Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Capt. Amarinder Singh on April 24 said that Amritpal Singh should have been arrested on the initial day of the crackdown. According to Amarinder, Amritpal should have been taken into custody 30 days earlier, and individuals who have connections with Pakistan or those who attack police stations should have been detained earlier.
23-Apr-2023
A Pakistan drone shot down by the Border Security Force (BSF) earlier was recovered near the international border in Dera Baba Nanak village in Gurdaspur district on April 23.
23-Apr-2023
Soon after Amritpal's arrest, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP (Member of Parliament) Sanjay Singh praised the Bhagwant Mann administration for their handling of the case, citing Amritpal Singh's arrest as a testament to the Punjab government's maturity. He emphasized that the residents of Punjab will not tolerate any form of abuse of Guru Granth Sahib, referencing the Ajnala incident.
23-Apr-2023
Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa, the nephew of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and former Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, met with Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh before his arrest from Gurdwara Sant Khalsa at Rode village in Moga district on April 23. Jasbir Singh Khalsa stated that he arrived at the gurdwara at around 4am on April 23, and engaged in discussions with Amritpal Singh, where he addressed the gathering of people who had congregated at the gurdwara. Khalsa also noted that Amritpal had explained why he had been in hiding for 35 days and why he was now surrendering, as many youths were being apprehended.
23-Apr-2023
Following the arrest of the radical preacher Amritpal Singh, three video clips of him were posted on social media in which he presented his arguments. In two of these videos, he explicitly stated that he had decided to surrender himself after 36 days since the Punjab Police began their operation to capture him. The first video shows Amritpal speaking to a congregation at Gurdwara Sant Khalsa in Rode, Moga, which was built to commemorate slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. In the second video, he can be seen walking around the village, entering a basement, paying his respects to a photo of Bhindranwale, and reciting Chaupai (a Sikh prayer for protection). In the third video, which was shot few hours prior to his arrest, Amritpal declares that he will go to Gurdwara Sant Khalsa, the same gurdwara where he had initiated his journey with the dastarbandi (a turban-tying ceremony to signify taking on a responsibility) to take over Waris Punjab De (WPD). He indicates that he will surrender himself there.
23-Apr-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) seized two packets of narcotics weighing about 2 kg from Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district on April 23.
23-Apr-2023
The fugitive pro-Khalistan propagator Amritpal Singh was arrested in Rode village located in Moga district on the morning of April 23. The police effectively surrounded him, preventing any chance of escape. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill said that he has been transported to Dibrugarh, Assam. Gill also said, “NSA warrants were issued against Amritpal Singh and these have been executed on Sunday morning. Now, law will take its own course.”
23-Apr-2023
The Khalistani radical preacher and the head of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, on April 23, was arrested at Sant Khalsa Gurudwara in Rode village in Moga district. The police transported him under heavy protection to the Air Force Station in Bhatinda, from where he was flown to Assam. According to police, he will be lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam. Later, Punjab Police confirmed via Twitter that they had arrested fugitive Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh, who was on the run, in Moga. They also appealed to the public to ensure peace and harmony.
23-Apr-2023
Tarsem Singh, the father of arrested radical preacher Amritpal Singh claimed that his son was involved in combating the drug problem in the State. Meanwhile, Amritpal's mother, Balwinder Kaur, expressed her admiration for her son's decision to surrender and likened it to the bravery of a warrior. She added that they plan to engage in a legal battle and visit him as soon as possible.
23-Apr-2023
According to State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the recent arrest of pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh, is a significant triumph for the state police. The minister praised the police's 35–36-day operation, which resulted in Amritpal's arrest without any violent altercations or sacrilege incidents. He also stated that anyone who tries to disturb the state's peace will face appropriate consequences. Cheema dismissed claims that Amritpal had surrendered and clarified that he was caught hiding in a local gurdwara by the police. Additionally, he refuted any allegations that negotiations occurred before Amritpal's arrest.
22-Apr-2023
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a media conclave in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on April 22 stated that there is no Khalistan movement in Punjab and that the central government is monitoring the situation closely. He commended the Punjab Government for their diligent efforts and expressed the central government's support towards their work. Shah emphasized that while some individuals may try to stir up trouble, both the state and central governments have effectively tackled the issue.
22-Apr-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on April 22 seized 5 kg of narcotics that appears to be dropped by a drone near the International Border in Daoke village in Amritsar district.
22-Apr-2023
Police arrested gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria's two associates, identified as Sandeep Kumar alias Ravi Balachoria and Rohit along with six pistols and 25 live cartridges in Ropar in Rupnagar district on April 22.
22-Apr-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops apprehended a 75-year-old Pakistani national, identified as Hakim Ali, after he crossed over into the Indian territory in the Ferozepur sector on April 22 evening. He was later handed over to the Pakistani authorities.
22-Apr-2023
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 22 stated that there was no Khalistan movement happening in Punjab, and that the government is closely monitoring the circumstances in the state. The Home Minister pointed out that Punjab government had done good work and that the Centre had cooperated.
21-Apr-2023
The Dal Khalsa made the decision to conduct an ardas at the Akal Takht on April 29. The group asserted that the current government, led by Narendra Modi, was attempting to portray Sikhs as ‘villains of peace’. “While observing the day, we would reiterate that the Sikhs are neither against peace nor any religion and that they love to take Hindus of Punjab along with them in their struggle for Punjab’s sovereignty,” it said.
21-Apr-2023
The Akal Takht on April 21 strongly criticised the interception of Kirandeep Kaur, the wife of pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh, at the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar on April 20. Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that they consider this act by the authorities unjustified and urged the government to refrain from causing unnecessary panic and to take action against those spreading false information about the Sikh community on social media. Additionally, the Akal Takht has called on the government to take measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
21-Apr-2023
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police on April 21 recovered 4 kg of heroin while two smugglers managed to flee from the spot after entering into a scuffle with the police in Harike in Tarn Taran district.
21-Apr-2023
During his visit to India, Australian Member of Parliament Michael Sukkar denounced the recent acts of vandalism and violence against the Hindu community by Khalistan sympathizers in his country. In his statement, Sukkar, who is a migrant himself with a Lebanese background, emphasized the importance of not bringing domestic issues and conflicts to Australia. He firmly stated that violence and vandalism should not be tolerated under any circumstances and that his stance is very clear on the matter.
20-Apr-2023
Police on April 20 arrested three persons, identified as Gurpal Singh, Harjot Singh and Jagga Singh, and seized 1,200 kg poppy husk from their possession in Dhanaula in Barnala district. The accused were allegedly taking the drug in a truck.
20-Apr-2023
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang on April 20 said that due to the political protection of criminals, people’s tax money was misused and it also gave rise to gangsterism. Kang reiterated that those who made prisons ‘safe houses’ for gangsters have now been uncovered and the nexus of some uniformed persons involved in crime and drug trafficking has also been broken by the government. He added that anyone involved in any activity that is harmful to Punjab would face consequences.
20-Apr-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel intercepted a Pakistani drone near Bhariyal village in Gurdaspur district on April 20. BSF in a statement said, “The drone kept flying inside the Indian border for 5 minutes, during which 3 rounds of firing were done by BSF and an Ilu bomb was also fired, after which the drone flew back to Pakistan.”
20-Apr-2023
The wife of pro-Khalistani fugitive Amritpal Singh, Kirandeep Kaur was prevented from boarding a London-bound flight at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar on April 20. Immigration authorities, police, and intelligence officials interrogated her for almost four hours before instructing her to return home with some of her family members who had accompanied her to the airport. Kirandeep, who is a British citizen, married Amritpal in his native village of Jallupur Khera in February 2023. Police had previously interrogated her regarding alleged foreign funding for the Waris Punjab De (WPD) organization, which is led by Amritpal.
20-Apr-2023
Daljit Singh Kalsi's wife on April 20 met him in jail and has clarified that her husband is in good health and is being looked after by jail authorities in Assam. “I along with my son met him for one hour. He is being looked after and getting to eat whatever he wishes. He is getting very good treatment,” said Kalsi's wife while interacting with the media in Dibrugarh.