KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
07-May-2024
On May 7, a bouncer identified as Manish Kumar alias Manni was shot dead by wo assailants suspected to be involved in an old gang war between bouncer groups, in Chando village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab.
07-May-2024
Simranjit Singh Mann, Member of Parliament (MP) from Sangrur and candidate of Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A), while campaigning at Ballian village in Sangrur district on May 7, advocated for the opening of the Pakistan border to boost Punjab's prosperity. Mann emphasized that the financial conditions of farmers, laborers, and small traders could significantly improve with the border's opening, benefiting sectors like transportation. He asserted that commodities like wheat, which are in high demand in Pakistan, could bring substantial economic gains to Punjab.
07-May-2024
Tarsem Singh, the father of Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh, stated on May 7 that Amritpal was initially hesitant but decided to contest elections due to the community's urging.
07-May-2024
Another farmer, identified as Jaswant Singh, died at a farmers’ protest site on Shambhu Border on May 7, near Shambhu village in Patiala district, Punjab. Singh's demise marks the 20th death since the protests began on February 13, 2024.
07-May-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on May 7 in New Delhi, reiterated India's concerns over Canada's tolerance of extremist elements, especially after pro-Khalistan imagery was displayed at a parade in Toronto on May 5. Jaiswal condemned the violent imagery and emphasized that the celebration and glorification of violence have no place in civilized society. He called on democratic nations to prevent intimidation by radical groups under the guise of freedom of expression.
07-May-2024
A report by The Globe and Mail revealed that during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2018 visit to India, the Indian government refused to allow his aircraft to land in Amritsar unless he met with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to discuss Khalistani separatism. Singh handed Trudeau and then-Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan a dossier containing names of Khalistani activists the Indian government wanted curtailed, including Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, advocating for Khalistan. The meeting was described as "not pleasant," with Canada promising to review the list. This incident underscores the longstanding tensions between India and Canada over the issue of Khalistani separatism, exacerbated by Trudeau's allegations linking Indian agents to Nijjar's killing and subsequent diplomatic fallout.
07-May-2024
Following the use of metal detectors during a security check at Gurdwara Ratgarh Sahib in Naraingarh, Ambala district in Haryana, amid an ongoing religious congregation, Baljit Singh Daduwal, a member of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), urged Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on May 7 to take action. Daduwal described the checking in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib as "intolerable" and demanded a probe into the incident, calling for strict legal action against the security officials involved. The incident, which occurred on April 29 during Saini's visit, sparked controversy after a video went viral, prompting condemnation from Sikh leaders, including Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who demanded an apology from the CM.
07-May-2024
The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protested outside the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) headquarters in New Delhi on May 7 after the Lieutenant-Governor recommended a probe against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over allegations of receiving funding from the banned Khalistani terror organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The AAP termed the accusation as a political conspiracy. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva alleged that accepting funds from a banned outfit compromises national security, while AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj highlighted similar complaints raised earlier, suggesting political motives.
06-May-2024
The Border Security Forces (BSF), along with Punjab Police, on May 6, in a joint operation, recovered one packet of heroin weighing 550 grams from farming fields near Roranwala Kalan village in Amritsar district.
06-May-2024
The city crime branch of Mumbai Police on May 6 arrested Mohammed Rafiq Sardar Choudhary, who allegedly accompanied the shooters that fired at actor Salman Khan’s house in Mumbai, from Nagaur in Nagaur district, Rajasthan. Choudhary allegedly paid the shooters INR 1 lakh and provided logistical support. Police stated that Choudhary was in direct contact with Bishnoi gang members and had visited Salman Khan's building for reconnaissance prior to the firing incident.
06-May-2024
Police on May 6 arrested one person identified as Jarnail Singh for his involvement in the lynching of sacrilege accused Bakshish Singh, which occurred on May 3, in Bandala village in Ferozepur district. Jarnail was allegedly leading the angry mob and thrashed Bakshish after he tore pages of Guru Granth Sahib.
06-May-2024
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, has recommended a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into allegations of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal receiving funding from the banned Khalistani terror group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The AAP vehemently denied the accusations, labelling them as another conspiracy against CM Arvind Kejriwal. The complaint alleges USD 16 million in funding from pro-Khalistani groups to facilitate the release of 1993 Delhi blasts convict Devendra Pal Bhullar. Kejriwal's letter to Iqbal Singh and alleged meetings with Khalistani leaders are cited as evidence.
06-May-2024
Amid a diplomatic dispute between New Delhi and Ottawa, Indian intelligence agencies have compiled a list of designated terrorists and gangsters, many of whom are linked to Canada. The list includes individuals such as Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala, Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, Sukhpreet Singh alias Budda, Harpreet Uppal, Jasdeep Singh, Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana, Joginder Singh, Vikramjit Singh alias Vikram Brar, Darman Singh alias Darmaniot Kahlon, Surender Singh alias Chiku, Sunny Dagar, Naveen Dabas alias Naveen Bali, Jagseer Singh alias Jagga, Bhupinder Singh alias Bhupi Rana, and Daler Singh.
06-May-2024
Akal Takht's parallel Jathedar, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, addressed the media in Amritsar on May 6, urging Punjab's voters to support Panthic candidates for the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian Parliament), emphasizing peace and prosperity for all Punjabis. Jarnail Singh Sakhira, Mand's aide, highlighted Mand's call to vote for Khalistani preacher and National Security Act (NSA) detainee Amritpal Singh, and Sarabjit Singh, son of Indira Gandhi's assassin Beant Singh, for the Khadoor Sahib and Faridkot parliamentary seats, respectively. They also endorsed all candidates of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar).
06-May-2024
The recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Khalsa Day event, seemingly supportive of pro-Khalistan sentiments, have escalated tensions between India and Canada. Criticized by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Trudeau's stance reflects a concerning trend of allowing separatism and extremism to thrive in Canada. His anti-Indian rhetoric, driven by political ambitions, risks damaging the historically friendly relations between the two democracies. Trudeau's actions, including the timing of arrests related to the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case and the release of an interim intelligence report alleging Indian interference in Canadian elections, are seen as politically motivated maneuvers. Amidst mounting tensions, constructive cooperation between India and Canada is essential for effectively addressing global challenges.
06-May-2024
Police on May 6 busted a gang involved in printing counterfeit currency and smuggling drugs and arrested three members, identified as Rishu Kumar, Lakhwinder Kumar Lucky, and Gurdeep Singh and seized 20 kg of opium, fake Indian currency notes of INR 500 denomination worth INR 84.20 lakh, along with equipment used in printing currency, in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district.
05-May-2024
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on May 5 arrested three people identified as Nazeer Mohd, MD Rafi and Rahul Uppal, and seized over 24 kg of charas along with INR 61000 drug money from their possession, near Ladpalwan Toll plaza in near Ladpalwan village in Pathankot district. Nazeer Mohd and MD Rafi were arrested with the charas, and based on information provided by them, the Police later arrested Rahul Uppal, the receiver of the consignment, along with INR 61,000 drug money. Further investigations are underway as part of a special drive to dismantle drug networks in the region.
05-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 5 recovered three packets of heroin weighing 2.580 kg along with a broken drone near Chak Bazida village in Fazilka district.
05-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 5 recovered a packet containing 550 grams of heroin from near Roranwala Kalan village in Amritsar district.
05-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 5 intercepted a drone, and later recovered it from fields near Kakkar village in Ajnala tehsil in Amritsar district.
05-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 5 recovered a drone from fields near Roranwala village in Amritsar district.
05-May-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), in a statement released on May 5, criticized the government's inaction on sacrilege cases, following the fatal beating of a 19-year-old who was allegedly involved in desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib in Ferozepur district in Punjab. This incident led the Akal Takht to call for a social and religious boycott of the victim's family, urging Sikhs to seek justice when the rule of law fails. The SGPC emphasized the community's respect for the law but expressed disappointment in the lack of exemplary justice in such cases.
05-May-2024
Police on May 5 arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Karanbir Singh and Balwinder Singh, and seized 3 kg of heroin and 1 kg of ICE (crystal methamphetamine) from their possession in Punga village in Amritsar district. During interrogation, it was revealed that Karanbir had previously received two drug consignments from Pakistan through direct contact with the trans-border narcotic smuggler Dogar Rajput.
05-May-2024
Delhi Police on May 5 arrested three individuals linked to the Tillu Tajpuria gang, identified as Vishal, Bharat Kumar, and Happy from the Vikaspuri area of West Delhi district in Delhi Their arrests were related to the killing of a member of the Gogi gang in the Alipur area of Delhi, orchestrated from within the city's prison to avenge Tillu Tajpuria's death. The victim, Narender Malik, was fatally shot on April 22, 2024, leading to investigations that uncovered an intergang rivalry between the two groups.
05-May-2024
Family members and neighbours expressed shock following the arrest of Kamalpreet Singh from Chak Kallan village, Jalandhar district, Punjab, who was arrested in Canada for the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Kamalpreet migrated to Canada in 2019 after completing Class XII. His father, Satnam Singh, is a respected arhtiya (commission agent) and panchayat member.