KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
07-Jul-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, on July 7, congratulated the 10 Sikh Members of Parliament (MPs) elected to the United Kingdom's (UK) House of Commons, urging them to collaborate on promoting Sikhism and combating hate crimes against the community. He highlighted the significant contributions of Sikhs since the first settlers arrived in the UK in 1911, noting that Sikhism is now the fourth largest religious group in the UK.
07-Jul-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on July 7 issued a statement criticizing the Punjab Police for lacking adequate training to handle hate speech against the Sikh community, despite the recent establishment of 28 new cybercrime police stations across Punjab, as announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. They expressed concerns over the absence of a robust plan to combat hate speech impacting Sikhs.
07-Jul-2024
The police on July 7 arrested three individuals, including a woman, identified as Kuldeep Singh, Harpal Singh alias Kala, and Paramjit Kaur, and seized 1 kg of heroin along with INR 7 lakh in drug money from their possession in Zira, Ferozepur district.
06-Jul-2024
Four days after being shot by the Border Security Force (BSF) on the night of July 1 and 2 near the Sadiqi Border Outpost (BOP) in the Fazilka sector, a Pakistani intruder was buried on July 6 in the Panjpeer graveyard in Abohar, Fazilka district, Punjab. The burial was conducted according to Muslim rituals in the presence of officials from the concerned department. The intruder, whose body was not claimed by Pakistani Rangers, had been killed after illegally crossing into Indian territory.
06-Jul-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami congratulated the four turbaned Sikhs and five Sikh women elected as the United Kingdom's (UK) new Members of Parliament (MPs). They associated this achievement with Punjabi and Sikh pride, recognizing the community's global reputation for hard work and excellence in politics.
06-Jul-2024
According to reports, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and Sheikh Abdul Rashid, both imprisoned on serious charges, won seats from the Khadoor Sahib and Baramulla constituencies, respectively, raising concerns about security risks. Amritpal, under the National Security Act (NSA), and Rashid, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), were given limited parole to take their oaths as Members of Parliament (MPs). Terror accused cannot become Members of Parliament (MPs) in the West, but they can in India. Both face potential disqualification under Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA), if convicted.
06-Jul-2024
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab regarding the release of gangster Daljit Bhana during the Jalandhar West bypoll in Punjab. BJP state office secretary Suneel Dutt Bharadwaj claimed that Bhana, involved in various murder cases, has been creating panic among voters by roaming the area with police officials. Bharadwaj urged the EC to cancel Bhana’s parole, fearing he might be used for booth capturing.
06-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered a packet of heroin weighing 480 grams from fields near Wazirpur Afgana village in Gurdaspur district on July 6.
06-Jul-2024
The police on July 6 arrested one person, identified as Aniket and seized 6 grams of heroin from his possession, in Sangrur in Sangrur district.
06-Jul-2024
The police on July 6 arrested one person, identified as Jarnail and seized 20 kg of poppy husk from his possession, in Sangrur in Sangrur district.
06-Jul-2024
The police on July 6 arrested one person, identified as Sahil and seized 10 strips of intoxicant pills from his possession, in Sangrur in Sangrur district.
06-Jul-2024
According to senior police sources, the preliminary questioning of two Nihangs, identified as Sarabjit and Harjot, arrested for the attack on Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar, revealed that his statements against Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on social media and public platforms led to the assault. They also disclosed that the Nihangs had long harbored a grudge against Thapar and acted impulsively upon seeing him at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. The suspects' cellphones have been sent for forensic examination, and their call details are being analyzed.
06-Jul-2024
Jalandhar rural police arrested a high-profile absconding criminal, Jobanjeet Singh, who was wanted in two separate heroin consignment cases: a 2,988 kg heroin haul seized at Mundra port in Gujarat in 2021 and a 200 kg heroin haul in 2022, and seized one .32 bore pistol and five live rounds from his possession in Jalandhar district. Jobanjeet, along with two other accomplices, Harjinder Singh alias Jinder and Kulwinder Singh alias Kaka, were involved in an extortion attempt demanding INR 50 lakh from Nakodar resident Manpreet Singh. During the investigation, it was revealed that England-based gangsters Jagdeep Singh alias Jagga and Gala, along with Amrik Singh alias Mika, were also involved in orchestrating the extortion plot.
06-Jul-2024
Radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, issued a statement on July 6 from Dibrugarh jail in Assam, where he is held under the National Security Act (NSA), disapproving of remarks made by his mother, Balwinder Kaur, denying his support for Khalistan. Amritpal emphasised his commitment to Khalistan despite his mother's claims to the contrary. He stressed that promoting Khalsa Raj is a matter of pride, aligned with the historical sacrifices of Sikhs, and warned his family against deviating from this path.
05-Jul-2024
Sandeep Thapar, a prominent figure of the Punjab Shiv Sena, was seriously injured after an attack by at least three men dressed as Nihang Sikhs in Ludhiana on July 5. The attackers used kirpans (swords) and escaped on Thapar’s scooter after the altercation. Two of the three attackers, identified as Sarabjit Singh and Harjot Singh, were arrested by the police, while the third, Tehal Singh, remains at large. According to sources, Sandeep was likely attacked due to his outspoken views against Khalistan, anti-national elements, and various local issues.
05-Jul-2024
On July 5, jailed radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) took his oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) in New Delhi. Singh, who is under arrest under the National Security Act (NSA), was flown from Dibrugarh in Assam to New Delhi for his parliamentary oath. Despite his controversial past and statements declaring himself not an Indian citizen, his mother, Balwinder Kaur, insisted he is not a Khalistan supporter but merely advocating for Punjab's youth and fighting against drug issues. Amritpal’s father, Tarsem Singh, stated that his son, now widely recognized for his political and social activism, has transcended family ties to become a son of Punjab and the Sikh community.
05-Jul-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed solidarity on July 5 with radical Khalistani preacher and Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, criticizing the Central and state governments for discriminatory actions against the Sikh community.
05-Jul-2024
The radical Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief, Amritpal Singh, who was granted a four-day parole for his swearing-in as a Member of Parliament (MP), took his oath before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Parliament, New Delhi, on July 5. After the ceremony, he met with his father, Tarsem Singh, and two uncles before returning to Dibrugarh Central Jail, where he is currently held under the National Security Act (NSA). Earlier, he had left the high-security jail at 4 am on July 5 and was flown to New Delhi in a special aircraft for the swearing-in ceremony.
05-Jul-2024
Balwinder Kaur, the mother of Khalistani radical preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh, asserted on July 5 that her son is not a supporter of Khalistan, after he was sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) in New Delhi. Amritpal was taken back to Dibrugarh jail in Dibrugarh, Assam after his oath-taking ceremony. Kaur demanded his immediate release to enable him to fulfill the promises made during his election campaign, which focused on issues such as the drug menace and the welfare of Punjab’s youth.
04-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops and Punjab Police on July 4 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 550 grams from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district. The heroin was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, and a metal ring along with an illuminating strip was found attached to the packet, indicating it had been dropped by a drone.
04-Jul-2024
Radical Khalistani preacher, chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), and Member of Parliament (MP) elect from Khadoor Sahib, Amritpal Singh, is set to be brought to New Delhi on July 5 on parole to take his oath as MP. The conditions of his parole specify that he can meet his family but cannot leave New Delhi or make media statements. An eight-member Punjab Police team arrived in Dibrugarh, Assam, to escort him to Delhi for the swearing-in, with plans to transport him on a military aircraft. Amritpal will be escorted back to Dibrugarh jail on the same day, where he is currently held under the National Security Act (NSA).
04-Jul-2024
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 4 arrested a prominent drug peddler, identified as Saktar Singh alias Laddi, as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to drug trafficking, in Tarn Taran district. Singh was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act following searches at about 10 locations in Sheron, Nausheran Pannuan, and Bugha villages of Tarn Taran district, during which some arms and drugs were recovered. The case is based on First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Punjab Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), revealing Singh's deep involvement in drug trafficking along the India-Pakistan border. The police stated that Singh's family is also implicated in illicit drug sales.
04-Jul-2024
After a group of Akali rebels submitted a joint written apology to the Akal Takht for their role in the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) mistakes, political observers suggested that the SAD needs a complete overhaul with new, energetic leadership. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has remained silent on the matter, but according to sources, the issue will be discussed by the Five High Priests. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Kiranjot Kaur and Global Sikh Council representative Gurpreet Singh emphasized the need for fresh, non-controversial leadership and true remorse from the rebels.
03-Jul-2024
Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjit Singh Khalsa on July 3 revealed that jailed radical Khalistani preacher and MP-elect from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency, Amritpal Singh, has been granted a four-day parole to take the oath as an MP on July 5. After a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa disclosed Amritpal's oath-taking plans. Amritpal is currently held at Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA).
03-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 3 recovered a drone along with two pistols, four magazines, and 40 rounds of Pakistan-made bullets near Nissoke village in Ajnala, Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK.