KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
15-Feb-2024
On February 15, Harjinder Singh Dhami, the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), strongly condemned the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee's (HSGMC) violation of etiquette at historic Gurdwaras. He highlighted police accommodation in Guru Ghars during the farmers' protests, alleging alcohol and drug consumption by officers, which hurt Sikh sentiments. Dhami warned against government influence on Gurdwara Committees and called for the protection of sacred places from arbitrary actions. He appealed to Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to address these incidents promptly.
15-Feb-2024
Police on February 15 arrested two unidentified opium smugglers and seized 1 kg of opium from their possession in Kanal in Bathinda in Bathinda district. The court ordered the accused to be remanded into police custody for 2 days.
15-Feb-2024
An internet ban has been imposed in three Punjab districts - Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib - until February 16, amidst intermittent shelling and tear gas at the Shambhu border near Shambhu village in Patiala district in Punjab. The agitation, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), seeks Minimum Support Price (MSP) laws and other farmer-centric reforms, while security measures, including the use of Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), are heightened at protest sites.
14-Feb-2024
Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, denounced the portrayal of farmers with false narratives during a press conference in New Delhi on February 14. He rebutted allegations of affiliations with Khalistan, left-wing, or political parties, asserting that farmers agitate irrespective of political ties. Pandher urged the Prime Minister to enact legislation guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) and criticized accusations of expanding demands, emphasizing consistency in their objectives and willingness for dialogue.
14-Feb-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Punjab Police on February 14 arrested two drug peddlers identified as Vikash and Honey and seized over 1 kg of heroin from their possession in Chheharta in Amritsar district. Further investigation revealed their involvement in drug trafficking in the Chheharta area, prompting ongoing raids to arrest their suppliers.
14-Feb-2024
According to sources, on February 14, the second day of the 'Dilli Chalo' protest, approximately 50 farmers were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas fired by Haryana Police at Shambhu border near Shambhu village in Patiala district. Additionally, 12 farmers were injured at Khanauri in Sangrur district. The Punjab Government activated medical teams and ambulances, pledging to cover the treatment costs for the injured. Union leaders emphasized the need for dialogue with the government while highlighting the tense atmosphere hindering discussions.
14-Feb-2024
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) on February 14 arrested a key figure involved in procuring illegal firearms from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on behalf of the notorious Vicky Tyagi gang, identified as Vinay Tyagi, from near Mawana Bus Stand in Meerut district in UP. Vinay disclosed that Rakshit Tyagi, Vicky's son, was his associate and managed to escape arrest. Vinay admitted to supplying weapons to Rakshit, underscoring Rakshit's pivotal role.
13-Feb-2024
According to sources, at least 13 individuals, including journalists, suffered severe injuries as the Haryana Police fired tear gas shells to prevent protesting farmers from forcibly entering Haryana via the Shambhu border near Shambhu village in the Patiala district of Punjab. Additionally, over 10 security personnel were injured due to stone-throwing by the farmers.
13-Feb-2024
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on February 13 stated that the government has done more for the farm sector than the UPA government and remains open to further discussions despite the breakdown of talks with farmers in Chandigarh. He also emphasized the need for broader discussions on new farmer issues and reiterated the government's commitment to farmer welfare. Thakur pointed out a significant increase in the agriculture budget under the Modi government, from INR 27,662 crore in 2013-14 to over INR 1.25 lakh crore presently. He highlighted initiatives such as the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and crop insurance benefits. Thakur also emphasized the government's investment in irrigation schemes and stressed the importance of comprehensive dialogue to address farmer concerns.
13-Feb-2024
On February 13, a viral video surfaced, depicting a supposed protester from the farmers' protest advocating for Khalistan and expressing a willingness to join Pakistan. This has led to accusations of radical separatist infiltration in the ongoing farmers' protest in India.
13-Feb-2024
Haryana Police used tear gas and drones to disperse farmers advancing towards Delhi. Despite a meeting with Union ministers yielding no results, farmers remain determined to continue their 'Delhi Chalo' march, intensifying pressure on the government. The presence of diverse motivations within the protest movement and potential radical elements advocating for separatist causes has prompted widespread discussion.
13-Feb-2024
Police on February 13 arrested an individual named Adil Manzoor Langoo for killing two migrant workers from Punjab in Srinagar on February 7, from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. The investigations revealed that Langoo, who was in contact with a handler in Pakistan, conspired to commit the crime. The victims, Amritpal Singh and Rohit Masih, were targeted in a terrorist attack claimed by ‘The Resistance Front (TRF)’, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Langoo was provided with the weapon by his handler, further motivating the attack.
13-Feb-2024
Police on February 13 seized 520 grams of heroin from fields behind a house in Daoke village in Amritsar district, following a tip-off. The villagers aided in the operation. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered against unidentified individuals.
12-Feb-2024
Police on February 12 arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Sarwan Singh and Sukhdev Singh and seized 2 kg of heroin from their possession at a checkpoint near Defence Drain Bridge in Gharindi village in Amritsar district. They were apprehended while transporting the heroin in a white Alto car, allegedly obtained from Pakistan via drones. The suspects attempted to evade capture, but their car overturned during a police chase. Both were injured and taken to the hospital before being detained.
12-Feb-2024
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), released a video on February 12 urging Indian farmers to seize Delhi and hoist Khalistan flags. This action has intensified concerns about radical infiltration within the ongoing protest movement. In the video, Pannun specifically calls for placing Khalistan flags on the chest and house of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Furthermore, he attempts to fuel the Khalistani movement by invoking the names of deceased youth from Punjab who were victims of terrorism. Pannun’s call to action highlights the efforts to hijack the farmers’ protest for separatist agendas.
12-Feb-2024
The "Dilli Chalo" protest by farmers is set to begin on the morning of February 13 despite heavy deployment of forces, as negotiations between farmer leaders and Union ministers failed.
12-Feb-2024
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on February 12 busted an international drug racket operating across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Dubai, with the arrest of nine unidentified people, including three Mexicans, and seized more than 15 kg of methamphetamine (ICE), 9 kg of pseudoephedrine and other chemicals from their possession, in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. An advocate from Mohali is identified as the prime suspect, with reports suggesting that the cartel ran a laboratory-like facility in Ludhiana for preparing drugs. Earlier, on February 9, had carried out a raid at a local gym and had arrested the owner Gurmail Singh alias Garry and had seized equipment valued at INR 37 lakh. The gym was reportedly operated by a member of the drug syndicate, identified as Akshay Chhabra.
12-Feb-2024
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit plans his sixth visit to the border districts of Punjab from February 20 onwards to address concerns related to drug and weapon smuggling from Pakistan. His agenda includes meetings with central and state officials to review progress and tackle new challenges in border security, infrastructure, and combating smuggling. Purohit aims to enhance coordination between agencies, engage local residents, and strengthen Village Defence Committees (VDCs) to gather ground-level insights and address border issues effectively.
12-Feb-2024
The Special Task Force (STF) of Ludhiana Range on February 12 arrested a Nigerian drug peddler, identified as Frank Chubaeji and seized 260 gm of methamphetamine (ICE) from his possession in the Daba area of Ludhiana district. He had a history of drug-related arrests and was declared a proclaimed offender by the court. Additionally, he acted as a liaison between Punjab-based peddlers and suppliers in New Delhi.
11-Feb-2024
According to sources, young men from lower-income families are frequently targeted for involvement in spreading pro-Khalistan propaganda across several States — Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and even Delhi. Exploiting their desperation for financial stability or better prospects abroad, handlers promise monetary rewards or job opportunities in countries like the United States (US) or Canada. However, investigations have revealed a pattern of exploitation, with individuals often left empty-handed after risking legal repercussions. The banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has been implicated in orchestrating such schemes, utilising social media and connections abroad to recruit gullible individuals for their separatist agendas. Despite promises of rewards and opportunities, these individuals often find themselves caught in the legal net, with little to show for their involvement except disillusionment and disappointment.
11-Feb-2024
Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi on February 11 released commemorative and currency coins on the bicentennial birth anniversary of Sikh philanthropist Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji, in New Delhi.
11-Feb-2024
Youth Sikh preacher Harvinder Singh Jamshedpuri, on February 11, stated that he strongly opposes government intervention in Sikh Takht Sahibs, emphasising the sanctity of religious sites and the need for community-led management during an address in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. He urged Gurudwara management in Jamshedpur to resolve internal matters internally. Additionally, he called upon Central Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (CGPC) Pradhan, Sardar Bhagwan Singh, to address Sikh community issues without government involvement, all while adhering to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
11-Feb-2024
The Special Task Force (STF) on February 11 busted a drug supply chain with the arrest of four persons identified as Jagdev Singh alias Jagga, Harpreet Singh alias Jassi, Jaspreet Singh alias Jassi, and Harinder Singh alias Harry, and seized 3.48 kg of heroin and 310 gm of ICE (Methamphetamine) from their possession, near GNE College on Gill Road in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. The accused sourced drugs from a Nigerian national in New Delhi and distributed them to addicts in Punjab.
11-Feb-2024
The Police and the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation on February 11, arrested a smuggler identified as Sukhchain Singh and seized 1 kg of heroin from his possession near Chhanga Rai Hithar village in Firozpur district. The police revealed that information was received about Sukhchain Singh and Mangal Singh receiving heroin consignments from Pakistani smugglers, leading to the arrest of Sukhchain Singh. Upon interrogation, Sukhchain revealed the location of two 500 gm heroin consignments hidden in a field along the international border, subsequently recovered by the authorities.
11-Feb-2024
Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation on February 11 recovered 500 gm of heroin and a drone, from fields near Awan Basau village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a Quadcopter model DJI Mavic 3 Classic manufactured in China.