KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Dec-2023
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on December 16 accused Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann of allowing drug trafficking in jails, alleging that drug tablets are being sold. Sidhu challenged this statement and offered to leave politics if proven wrong.
16-Dec-2023
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Punjab Police on December 16 shot two gangsters identified as Karamjit Singh and Parambir Singh alias Prince, during an interception in Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The duo, linked to carjackings, extortion, and property dealer crimes, had stolen a car in November. Despite warning shots, the suspects attempted to flee, leading to the police shooting them.
16-Dec-2023
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Anurag Thakur, on December 16, while addressing the Parliament, revealed that over the past two years, the Indian government has blocked public access to 122 YouTube news channels. This action was taken due to the dissemination of content that violated Section 69A of the IT Act, in accordance with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rule, 2021. Thakur also emphasized that the government has implemented appropriate measures against channels found in violation of the prescribed codes.
15-Dec-2023
Three motorcyclists fired upon a car in an apparent case of extortion in Jalandhar district on December 15. The incident caused panic in the area, but no injuries were reported. The targeted car belonged to a travel agent, and further details are awaited.
15-Dec-2023
Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, indicted in the United States (US) for plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, allegedly at the behest of an Indian government official, on December 15 approached the Supreme Court of India against his arrest and ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic. The court has scheduled the petition for a hearing on January 4, 2024. Gupta's plea alleges irregularities in his arrest and claims violations of his rights, including denial of consular access and being forced to consume beef and pork while in custody in the Czech Republic. The extradition order is pending legal proceedings in the high court in Prague, Czech Republic.
15-Dec-2023
The Punjab Police State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on December 15 arrested Deep Singh, a member of the Bir Khalsa Group known for its stunts on America's Got Talent and holding a Guinness World Record, and recovered 500 grams of heroin from his possession in Tarn Taran district.
15-Dec-2023
Police of December 15 arrested two persons, identified as Sandeep Singh and his mother Manjit Kaur during a raid at a tea stall and seized 10 kg of poppy husk, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
15-Dec-2023
Police on December 15 arrested an individual identified as Rakesh and seized 220 intoxicating pills from his possession in Himmatpura in Fazilka district.
15-Dec-2023
According to reports, the Border Security Force (BSF) has urged Punjab Police to take 75 notorious smugglers and their associates into preventive custody during the upcoming foggy season to curb cross-border drug smuggling. The list, sent by the BSF to Punjab Police, indicates that Tarn Taran has the highest number with 23 smugglers, followed by Ferozepur with 20. The BSF emphasized the need for preventive detention due to traditional smuggling routes exploiting dense fog, especially in bordering districts such as Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka. Punjab Police has been directed to take action under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1988.
15-Dec-2023
The pro-Khalistan campaign, originating from Canada, has reportedly extended its reach to Madhya Pradesh (MP), where residents in Bhopal have reported receiving phone calls from London. A recorded message from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun alleges that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of MP are responsible for atrocities against Sikhs, urging support for the Khalistan movement.
15-Dec-2023
Punjab Police on December 15 arrested a close aide of Khalistan sympathizer and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh, identified as Kulwant Singh in Moga district. He was subsequently produced in court and received a 4-day remand.
15-Dec-2023
United States (US) President Joe Biden will not attend India's Republic Day celebrations and the QUAD Summit has been postponed until 2024 due to the proximity to the State of the Union and political constraints on foreign travel during this time.
14-Dec-2023
According to reports, in the last three years, Punjab witnessed the highest number of women drug smugglers arrested in India, with 3,164 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In 2022 alone, Punjab accounted for 1,448 arrests, constituting nearly 35% of the total 4,146 arrests of women drug smugglers in the country that year. The government is addressing the issue through initiatives such as the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction.
14-Dec-2023
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) wing of Tarn Taran police, on December 14, arrested two persons identified as Samsher Singh alias Shera, and Yadwinder Singh alias Yad and seized 5 kg of heroin from their possession at a barricade near Bhuse village in Tarn Taran district. 2.8 kg of heroin was recovered from Shera, and 2.220 kg from Yad.
14-Dec-2023
The Muktsar district police on December 14 arrested a police constable, identified as Navjot Singh and seized 70 grams of heroin from his possession in Bariwala in Muktsar district.
14-Dec-2023
Police on December 14 arrested one person identified as Sumit Kumar and seized 340 grams of heroin from his possession in Muktsar town in Muktsar district.
14-Dec-2023
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jaskiranjit Singh Teja, was constituted on December 14 to probe the backward and forward linkages of notorious criminal Sukhdev Singh alias Vicky, who was killed in an encounter on December 13.
14-Dec-2023
On December 13, a security breach occurred in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi, where intruders from the visitors' gallery set off coloured smoke canisters during the Winter Session proceedings. Social media users are connecting the attack to Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of the banned terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Claims include suspicions of a Khalistani connection due to the use of 'yellow colour gas bombs,' pointing out the similarity between the smoke colour and the Khalistani flag. Some attribute the breach to Pannun based on prior warnings about attacking the Parliament on or before December 13.
14-Dec-2023
Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohd on December 14 criticized the Delhi Police for the Lok Sabha security breach, alleging failure to prevent it despite a threat from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun had issued a video threat in early December, vowing to attack the Indian Parliament on or before December 13, following an alleged foiled plot against him. Shama Mohd argued that, given such a threat, Delhi Police, responsible for Parliament security, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had failed, pointing to Home Minister Amit Shah's oversight of Delhi Police.
14-Dec-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, in Amritsar on December 14, apologized to the Sikh community for the party's failure to apprehend those responsible for sacrilege incidents in 2015 when the party was in power in Punjab. Badal expressed deep regret and pledged to ensure the punishment of the actual culprits while exposing those who politicized the issue. The incidents included the theft of the Guru Granth Sahib, sacrilegious posters, and desecration, leading to widespread protests and police firing that resulted in two deaths. Badal described these events as the most painful of his life and appealed for unity within the Khalsa Panth to confront challenges facing the Sikh community in Punjab.
14-Dec-2023
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police on December 14 arrested another sharpshooter affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, identified as Sombir alias Totala in connection with a firing incident at the residence of former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Deep Malhotra, from Punjabi Bagh area of Delhi. The gang targeted the former MLA for extortion, with previous arrests including Aakash alias Kassa, and Nitesh alias Sinti. Led by Goldy Brar, the gang aimed to spread terror and extort money from the MLA's liquor business in Punjab.
14-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) on December 14 recovered 500 grams of heroin along with a drone near Neshta village in Amritsar district. The drone was identified as a Made in China quadcopter Model DJI Mavic 3 Classic.
14-Dec-2023
Mansa Police on December 14 arrested three individuals, identified as Paramjit Singh, Mangaljit Manga, and Bhagwan Bhana, recovering an illegal pistol in Mansa district. During the operation, Paramjit Singh fired at the police with the weapon. In response, the police retaliated, resulting in Paramjit sustaining an injury to his foot.
14-Dec-2023
Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, in New Delhi on December 14, reaffirmed India's position on Canadian allegations regarding the murder of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Shah questioned why individuals wanted in India for terrorism are in Canada. This follows Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's acknowledgment that he made public allegations against India to deter its actions.
14-Dec-2023
Khanna Police, on December 14, dismantled an inter-state illegal arms smuggling racket with the arrest of 9 individuals of two gangs and seized 22 illegal weapons, all .32 bore pistols, from their possession in Khanna in Ludhiana district. The police efforts uncovered connections between the gangs and identified a weapons manufacturer from Madhya Pradesh with a history of supplying arms to Punjab. The crackdown highlights ongoing challenges related to the illicit arms trade in the area.