KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-Dec-2023
According to data shared in Parliament by Union Minister of State (Home) Nityanand Rai, Punjab, the second-highest state in drug-related arrests, has not received any funds from the Centre for narcotics control over the past five years, despite recording 16,831 arrests in 2022.
10-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police have observed a four-fold increase in the interception of Pakistani drones attempting to smuggle narcotics and weapons into India along the Punjab border, rising from 21 in 2022 to 91 in 2023 (until December 9). The spike is attributed to the use of smaller and cheaper Chinese drones, each costing around INR 1 lakh, compared to larger drones costing between INR 18 to INR 20 lakh. The intercepted drones are mostly China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classics, capable of carrying loads of 400 to 500 grams. Authorities employ anti-drone technology and conduct joint operations to counter this threat.
10-Dec-2023
Despite consistent requests from the Indian Government, Pakistan continues to charge a fee of USD 20 from every pilgrim visiting Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, in response to MP Manish Tewari's question in the Lok Sabha, mentioned the agreement for visa-free travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and clarified that the Indian Government charges only visa fees from Pakistani applicants. Tewari emphasized the need for renewed efforts to waive the travel fee or for the Indian government to bear the entire burden.
09-Dec-2023
Police on December 9 arrested a smuggler identified as Deepak Kumar alias Kochar, and seized 5.020 kg of heroin from his possession at Aima Khurd village in Tarn Taran district. The smuggler is suspected to have collected the consignment brought from across the border using a drone.
09-Dec-2023
On December 9, during a general house meeting held in Amritsar, Punjab, the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) urged the Central government to promptly release Sikh prisoners. The resolution, referencing the government's decision made on the 550th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, called for the immediate release of Bandi Singhs who have completed their sentences.
09-Dec-2023
A high-level panel meeting is scheduled to take place on December 9 in Amritsar, Punjab, led by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami to engage in dialogue with the Union government regarding the mercy petition for Balwant Singh Rajoana. Rajoana is a death row convict in the assassination of former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh.
09-Dec-2023
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) preacher Ravinderpal Singh received two threatening calls in the past month demanding the closure of RSS Shakhas in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Security personnel have been assigned to protect Singh and two RSS Shakhas. The revival of Khalistan demands, supported by foreign-based terrorists and local Sikh bodies, poses a significant threat to communal harmony in Punjab, with terror organizations like Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) exacerbating tensions through financial incentives for Khalistan advocacy.
09-Dec-2023
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) on December 9 organized a march under the leadership of Dal Khalsa, where supporters raised Khalistan slogans, causing disruptions in the markets and road blockages in Bathinda district of Punjab.
09-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Punjab Police on December 9 recovered 520 grams of heroin along with a drone on the outskirts of Daoke village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a Quadcopter, DJI Mavic 3 classic, made in China.
09-Dec-2023
The Akal Takht on December 9 constituted a five-member high-level committee to explore ways for the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination case of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, and other Bandi Singhs and decided to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting held at the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office in Amritsar, Punjab.
09-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 9 intercepted a drone that had intruded into India and recovered it in a joint search operation with Punjab Police near Mabboke village in Ferozepur district.
08-Dec-2023
Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination of former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, ended his hunger strike on December 8 after meeting with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh and others in Central Jail Patiala, in the Patiala district of Punjab.
08-Dec-2023
While addressing the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, on December 8, the Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, stated that Canada has not provided India with specific and relevant information regarding allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and emphasized the government's rejection of allegations of its involvement in violence in Canada.
08-Dec-2023
The Pakistan High Commission on December 8 stated that it issued 104 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to facilitate their visit to Shadani Darbar in Sindh, scheduled from December 12 to 23, in accordance with a bilateral protocol on religious shrine visits. This reciprocal arrangement allows Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from both countries to visit each other annually. Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires extended felicitations and wished the pilgrims a safe journey.
08-Dec-2023
The Rupnagar district police on December 8 organised a hockey match under the “Punjab Against Drugs” campaign at the Hawks Club in Rupnagar in Rupnagar district of Punjab. The event aimed to promote sports among the youth and create awareness against drugs.
08-Dec-2023
The Delhi Police on December 8 arrested two gang members associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, identified as Akaash Kassa and Nitesh Sinti, for firing bullets at the west Delhi house of former Punjab legislator Deep Malhotra, from different locations in Haryana. The police also seized a stolen motorcycle, two guns, and seven bullets from their possession.
08-Dec-2023
The Ministry of Defence on December 8 informed the Lok Sabha that nearly 3 lakh widows of armed forces personnel reside in the north-western part of India, with Punjab having the highest number of registered widows at 74,253. Overall, the country has 6,98,252 widows, with Kerala and Uttar Pradesh ranked second and third, respectively.
07-Dec-2023
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, stated on December 7 in New Delhi that they are in contact with the United States (US) and Canada regarding threats from Khalistani terrorists, including the designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to attack the Indian Parliament and Air India. He also mentioned that India has sought cooperation from the US regarding Pannun, who is wanted for law violations. The ongoing conversations with partners involve addressing concerns about threats from extremists or terrorists against India or its diplomats.
07-Dec-2023
India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, while speaking in the Parliament in New Delhi on December 7, clarified that India treats the United States (US) and Canada differently due to the security inputs provided by the US, prompting an inquiry committee to examine the national security implications. The clarification comes after the US charged an Indian national with a foiled plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, while Canada's allegations lacked specific evidence.
07-Dec-2023
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) president in Punjab, Israpreet Singh, in Chandigarh, urged DAV College in Chandigarh to address Google search results associating gangster Lawrence Bishnoi with the college, expressing concern about the potential influence on the youth. The college clarified that they did not add Bishnoi's name and pledged to resolve the issue. Lawrence Bishnoi has a criminal record and affiliations with Khalistani terror outfits.