KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
23-Jun-2024
Three associates of United States (US)-based smuggler Sarvan Singh alias Bhola Havelian, identified as Karanjit Singh, Akash Seth alias Raghu, and Sukhdeep Singh, who were arrested on June 22, were sent to two-day police custody in Amritsar. The suspects were found in possession of six pistols, six live cartridges, ten magazines, 200 grams of heroin, and an electronic weighing machine, and were involved in significant narcotic and weapon smuggling activities across the international border. Preliminary investigations revealed Akash Seth's involvement in smuggling approximately 15 kg of heroin and conducting INR 1.5 crore of 'hawala' transactions in the past month.
23-Jun-2024
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on June 23 discussed river water disputes and the ongoing depletion of underground water in Punjab. Attended by a large number of SKM members, the seminar concluded with a unanimous resolution asserting that water is a 'state subject' and that the central government should not have the authority to issue executive orders or make decisions concerning river water management.
23-Jun-2024
According to reports, Punjab continues to face severe challenges with drug addiction among its youth, with 14 recent deaths highlighting the ongoing crisis despite various initiatives over the years. Efforts like the "Tu Mera Buddy" program launched in 2018 and the more recent "The Hope Initiative" by Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann in 2023 aim to combat this issue through community involvement and awareness campaigns. However, the persistent high toll of drug-related fatalities underscores the need for more effective and sustained measures to address the drug menace, particularly against the backdrop of smuggling from across the Pakistan border.
22-Jun-2024
Punjab Police on June 22 busted a narcotics and organized crime nexus backed by United States-based smuggler Sarwan Singh alias Bhola Havelian, and arrested three operatives: Karanjit Singh, Akash Seth, alias Raghu, and Sukhdeep Singh and seized six pistols, six live cartridges, ten magazines, 200 grams of heroin, and an electronic weighing machine from their possession in Ajnala in Amritsar district. The arrested individuals were found to be directly in touch with Bhola Havelian, supplying weapons and heroin as part of the criminal operation.
22-Jun-2024
Acting on a complaint from District Drug Inspector Shishan Mittal, the police on June 22 recovered 590 intoxicating pills and INR 11.38 lakh in drug money from the bike of an alleged supplier, Vikas Kumar, in Abohar in Fazilka district, Punjab. Although Vikas Kumar remains at large, the authorities have registered a case against him.
22-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops and Punjab Police, in a joint operation on June 22, recovered a drone from fields near Noorwala village in Tarn Taran district.
22-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 22 recovered a drone along with a packet containing a pistol and an empty magazine from a field near Lakha Singh Wala village in Ferozepur district.
22-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops and Punjab Police, in a joint operation on June 22, recovered a packet containing 520 grams of heroin and a drone from fields near the international border (IB) near Gahlewala village in Fazilka district.
21-Jun-2024
The police on June 21 arrested five unidentified individuals and seized 50 grams of heroin, 155 habit-forming tablets, and 3.5 kg of poppy husk from their possession in Malerkotla, Malerkotla district. As part of their intensified crackdown on drug peddling, 178 police officers conducted door-to-door searches and vehicle checks on major roads.
21-Jun-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on June 21 in New Delhi, expressed strong disapproval of the Canadian parliament's observance of a minute's silence for Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He reiterated India's opposition to political support for extremism. Relations between India and Canada have been strained since Trudeau's allegations of potential Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing, which New Delhi has dismissed as absurd.
21-Jun-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, on June 21, criticized the one-year extension of the National Security Act (NSA) on newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) and Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh from Khadoor Sahib, along with other Sikhs detained in Assam. Dhami argued that this action by the state and central governments overlooks human rights and the sentiments of Punjab's populace, demanding the revocation of the NSA and the release of those detained.
21-Jun-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on June 21 stated that they had not received a formal request for consular access to Nikhil Gupta, extradited to the United States (US) on charges related to a murder-for-hire plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
21-Jun-2024
Punjab Police on June 21 launched a large-scale cordon and search operation (CASO) named Eagle-IV across all 28 police districts, resulting in 254 arrests. The operation, aimed at drug hotspots, involved senior officers from Punjab Police Headquarters and led to the registration of 221 First Information Reports (FIRs) and the checking of 4,575 suspicious persons.
21-Jun-2024
A group of Nihangs clashed with police, resulting in the arrest of five individuals near the Chhoti Baradari locality in Jalandhar district on June 21. The Nihangs, demanding the closure of a local liquor vend, resisted eviction by the police, with one Nihang, Amanjot Singh, brandishing a sword.
21-Jun-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, in an interview with The Tribune, defended the transfer of nearly 10,000 lower-rank police officials, citing administrative reasons and denying any drug-related taint on the transferred personnel. Yadav highlighted the involvement of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in narco-terrorism, noting that 906 drones have been sent from across the border since 2019, with 101 of 247 drones shot down this year alone. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards connivance with drug smugglers, mentioning the dismissal and arrest of corrupt police officials and the significant increase in drug seizures — from 170 kg in 2017, to 1,350 kg in 2023, and about 500 kg so far in 2024.
21-Jun-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on June 21 filed a police complaint against fashion designer and influencer Archana Makwana for performing yoga at the Golden Temple on International Yoga Day and sharing the photos on social media, which they deemed hurtful to Sikh religious sentiments. Makwana has since apologized, stating her actions were not intended to offend and promising greater mindfulness in the future. The SGPC also suspended three employees for failing to uphold the temple's conduct standards during the incident.
20-Jun-2024
Punjab Police on June 20 busted a trans-border illegal arms and narco-terrorism hawala racket, arresting eight individuals identified as Ranjit Singh alias Kaka, Rajinder alias Raja, Abhishek alias Abhi, Vishal alias Shalu, Lovepreet alias Kalu, Gurbhej alias Bheja, Gurjant, and Jaspal and seized 4.1 kg of heroin, two pistols (one made in Pakistan), 45 live cartridges, and INR 2.07 lakh in cash from their possession in Amritsar, Amritsar district. The operation revealed connections with Pakistan-based entities and is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle cross-border criminal activities in the region.
20-Jun-2024
The Punjab Police on June 20 conducted a widespread raid targeting 246 major drug smugglers who had been caught with 2 kg or more of drugs and were currently out on bail. Special Director General of Police (DGP) Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, stated that these individuals had been active over the past five years. The operation involved 113 police teams and 1,200 officers across all 28 police districts from 7 am to 12 pm. During the raids, incriminating materials, including mobile phones, were seized, with further examinations planned for the collected evidence.
20-Jun-2024
On June 20, two farmer groups, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM - Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), announced plans to besiege the Superintendent of Police (SP) office in Ambala, Haryana, on July 17. These groups, protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border points, criticized the Punjab Government for not fulfilling its promise of an 8-hour power supply to farmers and opposed delaying paddy transplantation, arguing it would increase moisture in the crop, making it unsuitable for procurement. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal highlighted that free power was a form of compensation for not receiving fair prices for their produce.
20-Jun-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 20 arrested Jaspreet Singh, a key operative linked with Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, and seized a .32 bore revolver, 69 cartridges of various bores, 100 grams of heroin, 100 grams of opium, INR 2,20,500 in cash, and various digital devices from his possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
20-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 20 recovered a Chinese-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from Rattankhurd village in Amritsar district.
20-Jun-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 20 recovered a drone from Dal village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a Chinese-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
20-Jun-2024
India on June 20 formally protested to the Canadian High Commission regarding Khalistani extremists holding a 'citizens court' outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver, expressing serious objections to the demonstration and the effigy burning of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This incident has escalated tensions, particularly after Canada's moment of silence in Parliament for slain Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
20-Jun-2024
The Delhi Police on June 20 arrested Sumit, a sharpshooter of the Tillu Tajpuriya gang, after a brief shootout in Rohini, North West Delhi district. Sumit, wanted for multiple crimes, including two murder cases, was apprehended following a tip-off about his presence in the area. During the arrest, he engaged in gunfire with the police, resulting in him being shot in the leg and subsequently hospitalized.
20-Jun-2024
President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sukhbir Singh Badal, on June 20, criticized the extension of the National Security Act (NSA) against Khalistani preacher and Member of Parliament (MP)-elect from Khadoor Sahib, Amritpal Singh, as a violation of constitutional and human rights. This criticism comes amid internal party dissent and demands for reform following the SAD's poor performance in recent elections, winning only one of the thirteen Lok Sabha seats it contested in Punjab.