KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
26-Aug-2023
Two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), Parvesh Chopra and Sanjiv Kumar, were transferred on August 26 to Bathinda and Mansa districts, respectively, in Punjab, for attending a birthday party with the alleged gangster Kamal Kumar alias Bori.
26-Aug-2023
The police on August 26 arrested an alleged gangster, identified as Kamal Kumar alias Bori on charges of illegal detention, criminal intimidation, and violating the Arms Act, from Amritsar, Punjab. According to sources, more than 15 cases have been registered against Bori.
25-Aug-2023
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in New Delhi on August 25 ordered the confiscation of property belonging to Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, at his ancestral village of Kirian in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Landa, a gangster-turned-terrorist, has been residing in Canada since 2017. He had been affiliated with the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and its associate Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, who is a terrorist operative based in Pakistan. Landa is the mastermind behind several terror attacks in India, including the 2022 rocket-propelled grenade attacks on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters and the Sarhali police station in Punjab. He was earlier declared a proclaimed offender on July 27.
25-Aug-2023
Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh of Akal Takht Sahib on August 25 declared prohibition on administrative meetings of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) due to a recent incident where members exchanged abusive language in a meeting, in Amritsar, Punjab.
25-Aug-2023
According to sources, the Border Security Force (BSF) has contacted Pakistan Rangers to obtain more information regarding alleged Indian smugglers who were arrested between July 29 and August 3, accused of attempting to transport 'narcotics, weapons, and ammunition' into Pakistan. However, as of now, no response has been received.
25-Aug-2023
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on August 25 criticized Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann for the deteriorating law and order situation caused by the rampant drug trade in the state. Purohit also asked the CM to provide a report detailing the actions taken to combat this issue. Purohit's concerns arise from reports of widespread drug abuse, their availability in chemist shops, and even instances of government-controlled liquor vend selling drugs. These incidents have led to public protests and raised concerns about the breakdown of law and order.
25-Aug-2023
Five Punjab Police inspectors identified as Gurwinder Singh, Neeraj Kumar, Gagandeep Singh, Harinder Singh and Dharminder Kalyan, were transferred after videos emerged of them attending a birthday party where gangster Kamal Kumar alias Bori was also present, in Amritsar, Punjab. Two Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs) Sanjeev Kumar and Parvesh Chopra, were also present at the party, but no action has been taken against them yet. The videos were allegedly shot at social activist Kumar Darshan’s birthday party, organised at a hotel in Amritsar on August 7.
25-Aug-2023
United Kingdom (UK) Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch on August 25 labelled the incident in March 2023 attack on the Indian High Commission in London as a "disgrace", while attending the B20 Summit in New Delhi, India. "In any country no matter how much of a global superpower there will always be problems and in the UK one of the most interesting things, and I say this as one of the immigrants to the country, is that quite a lot of the times people don't integrate the way we want them to and they bring problems and the same negative attitudes and the same issues from wherever they come from and bring it to the UK," stated Badenoch.
25-Aug-2023
The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a new video in which he threatened Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) staff and expressed his anger over India's moon mission (Chandrayaan-3), referring to it as a ‘blood’ mission. In the latest video, he stated, “In Modi's India, this isn't merely a moon mission; it's a 'blood' mission. Instead of fuel, you've utilized the blood of our Sikhs and the people of Punjab. The attempt to conceal the Sikh genocide under the guise of a soft moon landing won't succeed. Modi's India, SFJ intends to unveil your actions. ISRO, you are within the sights of pro-Khalistani Sikhs. You are marked as a target. In Modi's India, you are ruthlessly exploiting the Sikh community, both economically and physically, resulting in genocide. SFJ will respond, and your celebrations will be short-lived. ISRO, you are the prime target and under the radar of pro-Khalistani Sikhs.”
24-Aug-2023
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Police on August 24 arrested a man, who was previously arrested in Delhi in 2021 for supplying arms to Khalistan supporters, identified as Rajendra Singh Baranwala along with his four accomplices in connection with a series of thefts in different areas of Indore in Indore district of MP. The gang, led by Rajendra Singh Baranwala attempted 15 break-ins in August between August 1 and 20, successfully stealing gold and silver coins as well as cash from three locations. In 2021, Baranwala was arrested in Delhi for supplying arms to Khalistan supporters, and 18 illegal pistols were seized from his possession.
24-Aug-2023
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on August 24 issued a proclamation notice against Ranjit Singh Neeta, the chief of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) who is currently believed to be residing in Pakistan, giving him 30 days to surrender, in Mohali, Punjab. Neeta is wanted for his alleged involvement in multiple acts of terrorism, including bombings and attacks in India. The notice cites various incidents of Neeta's alleged involvement in various bombings, including those on trains like Shalimar Express and Sealdah Express, as well as attacks such as the one on Kailash Guest House in Delhi.
24-Aug-2023
Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh, expressed concern on August 24 over threatening letters sent to Sikh families in Rawalpindi and Panja Sahib, Pakistan, urging them to convert or leave. He has called upon India and Pakistan to ensure the safety of Sikh families and highlighted a history of targeted violence against Sikhs in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
24-Aug-2023
The Damdami Taksal (Ajnala), a breakaway faction of the prominent Sikh seminary, convened a meeting on August 24 at the Gurdwara Dukh Bhanjansar Sahib in Amritsar, Punjab and decided to escalate their efforts in pressuring the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab due to perceived unfulfilled promises concerning Sikh religious matters. The group, led by Amrik Singh Ajnala, criticized the government's inaction on issues such as the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, drug abuse, and corruption. They announced a 'Rosh March' scheduled for September 6, with the intention of marching to the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and staging a protest.