KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-Jan-2024
Police on January 10 arrested a woman identified as Usha Rani alias Manjit Kaur, and seized 44.50 grams of heroin from her possession in Ferozepur district. The heroin was recovered from her private parts during a frisking procedure at the jail when she visited her husband, Balwinder Singh.
10-Jan-2024
Police on January 10 arrested four highway robbers identified as Satnam Singh, Shiva, Rahul, and Satinder Singh and seized a .32 pistol, over a dozen live cartridges, and two Maruti Brezza cars from their possession in Adampur, Jalandhar district. The gang, hailing from Amritsar district, targeted victims on national highways, committing multiple robberies at gunpoint. Two other members are still on the run.
10-Jan-2024
Comrade Joseph alias Darshan Pal, a senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) involved in the 2020-21 farmers' protest, has been expelled by the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) for alleged anti-party and factional activities. The statement from the Maoist outfit also implicates Comrade Sanjeet alias Arjun Prasad Singh, and highlights their connection to the expelled central committee member, Comrade Balraj. The revelation of Darshan Pal's long-standing membership in the banned outfit raises concerns about Naxalism in Punjab.
10-Jan-2024
Protesters, including family members of alleged drug smuggler Sandeep Singh, who was killed in an encounter on January 9, blocked the old Talwandi Bhai-Zira Road, accusing the Special Task Force (STF) team of a 'fake' encounter, near Zira in Ferozepur district.
10-Jan-2024
In a joint operation, Delhi Police's Crime Branch and Special Cell on January 10 arrested a wanted criminal identified as Pratham Anand alias Tushar, from Zikapur in the Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district of Punjab. Anand had been evading arrest for four years and was a proclaimed offender in 10 cases, with involvement in 30 criminal cases. The arrest was carried out based on intelligence that Anand, associated with the Sanju Meharban gang, was hiding in Zirakpur near Chandigarh.
09-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 9 intercepted a drone, and in the early hours of January 10, they recovered two bags containing small packets of heroin, each weighing around 3 kg (totaling 6 kg of heroin), from near Majar Jamsher Pattan Dhani village in Fazilka district.
09-Jan-2024
According to reports, trade talks between Canada and India remain stalled, prompting the Indo-Canadian chambers of commerce to launch missions aimed at improving economic ties. The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) plans a delegation visit from January 29 to February 9, to bridge the gap and enhance trade relationships.
09-Jan-2024
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on January 9 asserted that Congress leader Jagdish Tytler instigated a mob during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, as part of its final arguments on the framing of charges against the Congress leader in the case in New Delhi. The CBI agency presented statements from four eyewitnesses before Special Judge Rakesh Sayal, indicating Tytler's involvement at the scene where three individuals were killed. Tytler is charged with rioting and murder, among other offenses. The CBI claimed that Tytler incited the mob at Gurdwara Pul Bangash, leading to the burning of the religious site and the death of three individuals. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on January 22.
09-Jan-2024
The Punjab Police's efforts to crack down on repeat drug traffickers through the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act have faced hindrances due to delays in granting sanctions by the Department of Home Affairs and Justice in Punjab. Approximately 60 proposals for the preventive detention of drug offenders, sent by the police, remain uncleared. Concerns about potential misuse and legal repercussions are cited as reasons for the delay. This delay raises questions about the effectiveness of the crackdown on drug trafficking in Punjab.
09-Jan-2024
Punjab Police on January 9 arrested one person, identified as Harpreet Singh and seized 1.50 kg of heroin and INR 3 lakh cash from his possession in the Mochi Bazar area of Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed the involvement of Mandeep Singh, residing in the United States (US), who directed Harpreet to receive heroin from an unidentified person.
09-Jan-2024
Two wanted drug smugglers, identified as Sandeep Singh alias Soni and Sukhbir Singh alias Gora, were killed, and their accomplice Anmol Preet Singh alias Mola was injured in an encounter between the Special Task Force (STF) team at Talwandi Bhai road near Zira in the Ferozepur district on January 9. The police seized a consignment of heroin and arms from their possession. The incident unfolded when the STF attempted to intercept their car as the smugglers were en route to a drug deal in Zira, and they opened fire at the police. One STF head constable was also injured during the exchange of fire.
09-Jan-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on January 9 introduced a dress code for 'granthis' and 'raagis' serving in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple and other gurdwaras. The dress code, in line with Sikh rehat maryada, emphasizes simplicity and traditional attire. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that the directive aims to address complaints about individuals modifying traditional clothing during 'Gurbani kirtan' performances in gurdwaras, ensuring adherence to Sikh traditions during religious duties.
09-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on January 9 recovered a packet containing 515 grams of heroin along with a drone, near Dal village in Tarn Taran. The recovered drone was a quadcopter -Model - DJI Mavic 3 Classic, made in China.
08-Jan-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President, Harjinder Singh Dhami, Dhami on January 8 released the report of the inquiry committee of the SGPC, which states that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann, who oversees the home department, is considered the main culprit responsible for the November 2023 police firing and the violation of Sikh religious conduct at Gurdwara Akal Bunga in Sultanpur Lodhi, Amritsar. The report alleges unnecessary police firing without warning disrupted an Akhand Path, and government officials, under pressure from the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) state government, did not cooperate with the inquiry.
08-Jan-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, through a video message on January 8 called for the shutdown of airports from Amritsar in Punjab to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (UP) ahead of the January 22 Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Pannun, the leader of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), also urged Muslims to oppose the ceremony and carve out 'Urduistan' from India. Threatening global consequences, he called for Muslims to protest the event, which will be attended by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
08-Jan-2024
Nihang leader Baba Harjit Singh Rasulpur, on January 8, announced his plans to offer 'langar seva' to devotees worldwide who will be arriving for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (UP) on January 22. Two trucks loaded with ration and essentials were dispatched from Chandigarh on January 8. Singh emphasized his forefathers' devotion to Lord Ram and expressed his view that the temple's construction is a victory for both Sanatan and Sikhism. He aims to celebrate the occasion by providing langar for everyone. Additionally, he will oversee the stay of dignitaries attending the Satsang in Ayodhya, with langar services commencing on January 14. This initiative aligns with Sikh traditions, promoting equality and unity.
08-Jan-2024
Police on January 8 arrested one person, identified as Fateh and seized 260 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession in Model Town in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Police on January 8 arrested one person, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, and seized 80 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession in Model Town in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Police arrested one person, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Chhanga and seized 110 grams of narcotics from his possession, in Model Town in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district on January 8.
08-Jan-2024
Police on January 8 arrested Ajay Kumar alias Ajju, and seized 65 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession, and Jaspal Bassan and seized 45 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession, in Katcha Tobha in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
The Garhshankar police on January 8 arrested Gaurav Kumar and seized 160 grams of narcotic substance from his possession, in Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Tanda police on January 8 arrested Maano, and seized 65 grams of narcotic substance from his possession, from Chandigarh Colony in Tanda in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Tanda police on January 8 arrested a fugitive identified as Niramal Sing alias Raju, and seized 65 grams of narcotic substance from his possession, in Khakhan village in Tanda tehsil in Hoshiarpur district. He was previously wanted in three cases that had been registered at the Tanda police station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
08-Jan-2024
On the orders of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the Punjab Police on January 8 conducted a widespread cordon and search operation in all 28 police districts of Punjab, resulting in 202 First Information Reports (FIR) and the arrest of 48 individuals. Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla reported the recovery of 1.9 kg of heroin, INR 6.8 lakh in drug money, 1.1 kg of opium, 87.5kg of poppy husk, 10,125 intoxicating tablets, 18 injections, 885 litres of illicit liquor and 12,350 litres lahan. The operation, executed from 8 am to 2 pm, involved over 600 police teams, with more than 9,000 personnel cordoning off 268 drug hotspots and frisking 5,505 suspicious persons.
08-Jan-2024
Punjab Police on January 8 arrested three more members of the Mannu Muhawa drug cartel, identified as Balraj Singh alias Kaka, Anmol Singh alias Laalu, and Sarabjit Singh, and seized 3.5 kg of heroin along with 10 cartridges and an SUV from their possession, from Sultanwind area in Amritsar district. The cartel's operations involve smuggling contraband and arms from Pakistan through drones. The Police emphasized ongoing efforts to establish the network of drug suppliers, dealers, and buyers connected to the cartel.