KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 05-Mar-2023
The Punjab government on March 5 suspended seven jail officials in connection with the Goindwal Sahib Central jail gang clash that took place on February 26 in Tarn Taran district. Five of the suspended officials, including the Central Prison Superintendent, were arrested for dereliction of duty and connivance with gangsters. The related video of the jail clash went viral on social media. Inspector General (IG) (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said that the state police had been ordered to thoroughly investigate each case and tighten the noose around those responsible for the irregularities.
India 05-Mar-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 5 said that it has attached five assets as part of its ongoing investigation against north India-based gangsters involved in organised crimes like extortion and murder, including that of a Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. These attachments and seizures come in the wake of the searches conducted by the NIA at 76 locations in February linked to gangsters and their associates in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi-NCR. The recent development is in connection with the cases filed by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in August 2022 against three significant organized criminal syndicates.
India 06-Mar-2023
Australian ambassador Barry O'Farrell on March 6 made it clear that the Khalistan referendum has no legal legitimacy either in Australia or in India. He also stated, "Australia's respect for India's sovereignty is unwavering". He further said that Australia was a successful multicultural, multifaith country and respected freedom of speech. "But freedom of speech does not give you the right to engage in violent protests in hate speech or vandalism. And those matters are taken seriously in Australia," he added.
Australia 06-Mar-2023
According to reports, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will convey to his Australian counterpart Anthony Norman Albanese India's worries regarding the reported vandalism of several Hindu temples in Australia by pro-Khalistan supporters. According to sources, the PM would take the opportunity to tell Canberra of the expectation that such anti-India hate campaigns and secessionist propaganda would not be tolerated in Australia and that stern measures would be taken against those responsible for the vandalism of places of worship.
India 06-Mar-2023
Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, on March 6 released a video addressing the G20 representatives where he claimed that Punjab is not a part of India and threatened that the railway services will be blocked in multiple locations in front of G20 representatives. In the video, the SFJ leader gave a call for “Rail Roko on March 15-16”. "The Singhs fighting for the freedom of Punjab have installed flags at the Makhu Railway Station which state "G20 nations welcome to Khalistan". Punjab is not a part of India. The red flags put up at the Makhu station said that from March 15 to 16, all the rail services in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Ludhiana will remain shut," Pannun said in the video. He further asked the people of Punjab to ensure that the railway services are blocked in front of G20 representatives.
India 06-Mar-2023
The executive committee of Dal Khalsa held a meeting at its office in Amritsar on March 6, and decided to submit a letter to G20 members through their embassy prior to their visit to Amritsar scheduled on March 15-17 to draw attention to Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh prisoners) human rights issue. In the letter written to the G-20 countries, the Dal Khalsa stated that India must answer human rights issues.
India 07-Mar-2023
According to reports, Sikh radicals condemned the deployment of security personnel including eight companies of Rapid Action Force to Punjab prior to the annual Hola Mohalla festival.
India 07-Mar-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 7 said that it has attached five more assets in Haryana and Delhi belonging to gang members of organized syndicates. According to NIA officials, it attached another four properties in Haryana and one in Delhi following investigations into cases involving three significant organized crime syndicates/gangs run by the Pakistan-based Harvinder Rinda, Lawrence Bishnoi, and Bambiha group. These attachments and seizures are a continuation of searches conducted linked to a terrorist-criminal network on March 4. The NIA said that the attached properties were found acquired with funds generated from carrying out different types of terrorist activities and extortion, and were thus "proceeds of terrorism" as they were being used for hatching terror conspiracies and execution of crimes.
India 07-Mar-2023
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Gurdaspur, Himanshu Aggarwal urged the media not to reveal the worth of the drugs that the Punjab Police and Border Security Force (BSF) have seized, to the general public. According to DC, "Once the value is made public, young people become motivated to sell narcotics so that they can enjoy a life of luxury." He also said, "I am also asking my public relations men to fan out in villages to inform youngsters about the punishment they might get if they are found to be carrying or selling drugs".
India 07-Mar-2023
According to police sources, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was handed over to the Punjab police on March 7 after a short time period in the custody of the Jaipur police. In order to investigate the involvement of his group in the January 29 G-Club shooting incident, the Jaipur police had brought him on a production warrant from Punjab.
India 07-Mar-2023
Police arrested seven gang members and seized eight motorcycles and six mobile phones in Barnala in Barnala district.
India 07-Mar-2023
Balkaur Singh, the late Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moosewala's father, on March 7, protested outside the Punjab Assembly and called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the case of his son's death. Singh also complained that no investigation is happening in his favor.
Australia 07-Mar-2023
According to media reports, the President of Swaminarayan Temple located on Marshall Road in Perth, Australia received a threatening call on March 7. The President of Temple, Vinodbhai Hirani said that he received a call from a man who identified himself as "Gurupdesh Singh," from an American number, who warned, "the Hindus community to support Khalistan or face dire consequences". Notably, the Khalistan supporters recently vandalized the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane on March 4, which was the fifth attempt against Hindu temples in the last two months in Australia.
India 07-Mar-2023
According to reports, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has been preparing a draft representation pertaining to the release of the ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh prisoners) that is to be submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, when she visits Amritsar on March 9. According to SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal, the visit will be an opportunity to talk with the President about "the issue of release of 'Bandi Singhs,'". In addition, the ad hoc Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee will inform her of the "illegal occupancy" of Sikh shrines and institutions, he added.
India 08-Mar-2023
According to reports, Punjab police started their campaign against the radical group Waris Punjab De, and the arms license of nine of Amritpal Singh's aides were cancelled by the police. According to police sources, the Punjab police are taking up their case with the respective district magistrates and police heads of the state. The Punjab police have also contacted Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) officials as two of Amritpal's nine associates obtained their firearms licenses from J&K.
United States 08-Mar-2023
The United States Department of State Spokesperson, Ned Price on March 8 condemned terrorism in all of its forms including those who resort to violence to achieve their ends, whether they are political or otherwise. When asked about Khalistani activists that are active in North America, he said, "So we condemn terrorism in all of its forms. We condemn terrorism; we condemn violent extremism. We condemn all of those who resort to violence to achieve their ends, whether they are political or otherwise. There is never a justification to resort to violence. Regardless of the motivation, regardless of the perpetrator, we take the threat of terrorism around the world, whether that's to regional peace and security or to our own security."
India 08-Mar-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) arrested two intruders, who were trying to enter India by crossing the International Border of Punjab. One man, identified as a Bangladeshi national was arrested when he was intervening on the night of March 8 and 9 in the Rajatal border post area of the Amritsar sector. Another man identified as a Pakistani national was arrested near the Nikka border outpost area of the Gurdaspur sector on March 9.
India 08-Mar-2023
Thousands of people in Gujarat on March 8 received bulk messages and pre-recorded calls, purportedly by the head of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, threatening to “storm into the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium” in Ahmadabad in Gujarat. In the pre-recorded voice message, Pannun stated, “People of Gujarat, on 9th March, stay home and stay safe because pro-Khalistan Sikhs are going to storm Narendra Modi cricket stadium and install Khalistani flag. Do not become a victim between pro-Khalistan Sikhs and Indian police”. The messages were aimed at creating panic amongst people ahead of the visit of the prime ministers of India and Australia.
India 08-Mar-2023
Giani Harpreet Singh, the Akal Takht Jathedar, on March 8 expressed his disapproval of the formation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGMC) and accused the Centre of planning to divide the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He also stated that, "The Sikhs of Haryana have not taken over the reign of HSGMC, but it is the government who has taken its control in reality. The central government knew that major support during the farmer agitation had come from ‘Langar’ (community kitchen) of gurdwaras... The British also adopted this same policy by taking the control of gurdwaras through ‘Mahants’. But Sikhs fought back and freed their gurdwaras,..." He said the SGPC has been “broken” as it is the backbone of the Sikh community. He wondered how a “a country that put efforts to keep its Parliament undivided, did not feel ashamed while dividing the parliament of Sikhs". He then went on to curse the government, saying, " If they have divided the Sikh parliament into two through the Supreme Court, the Almighty would divide such (country’s) Parliament into several pieces...”
India 09-Mar-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a drone and recovered weapons including, an AK series rifle, two magazines, and 40 bullets along the International Border (IB) in the Nabi Nagar village in Gurdaspur district on March 9.
India 09-Mar-2023
Police on March 9 arrested a Delhi-based drug peddler, identified as Satish Kumar along with 1 kg of heroin from Dera Bassi in the Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district.
India 09-Mar-2023
Police on March 9 arrested a drug peddling couple, identified as Buti and his wife Rajni along with 10 grams of heroin and 500 intoxicating tablets from Nakodar city in Jalandhar district.
India 09-Mar-2023
Police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Gurprit along with four grams of heroin from Shahkot in Jalandhar district on March 9.
India 09-Mar-2023
On March 9, police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Jagjit Singh with 10 grams of heroin from Lohian Khas in Jalandhar district.
India 09-Mar-2023
Police arrested one person identified as Rohit Kumar alias Manna and recovered arms including an illegal pistol, along with a magazine and six live cartridges near Gazi Gulla road in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district on March 9.
India 09-Mar-2023
Punjab police on March 9 arrested a close aide of Amritpal Singh, identified as Gurinderpal Singh Aujla at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The Jalandhar police were looking for him in a case of allegedly brandishing weapons on social media. Aujla is a United Kingdom (UK)-based NRI (Non-Resident Indian), who was trying to leave the country and travel to UK as per police report.
India 09-Mar-2023
Khanna police on March 9 busted a module of the Lovejeet Kang gang and arrested six of its members along with 13 weapons, 11 magazines, three live cartridges, and two vehicles in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. They were involved in the abduction of people and demanded ransom worth several crores across the state. Lovejeet Kang, currently residing in the United States (US), was booked by the Kapurthala police in January 2023 when he had demanded INR 3 crore from an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) after kidnapping the NRI’s father.
India 09-Mar-2023
The crime branch of the Chandigarh police arrested a drug dealer identified as Amandeep Singh (29) on March 9 from Kapurthala in Kapurthala District. He was earlier arrested by Punjab in a drug seizure case.
India 09-Mar-2023
The pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), put up Khalistani posters at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar on March 9. The posters were hung on the Guru Nanak Dev University's walls with the slogan, "Welcome G-20 leaders to Khalistan; Punjab is not India; Khalistan Zindabad." Notably, SFJ, earlier, called for ‘Rail Roko' (impeding trains) all across the state on March 15 and 16 in an attempt to disrupt the sessions of the G20 summit 2023, which is scheduled to take place in Amritsar.
India 09-Mar-2023
A day after the Manikaran incident (Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh), around 100 Punjabi pilgrims protested and shouted pro-Khalistan slogans by blocking the Chandigarh-Manali highway Himachal Pradesh border on March 9. According to reports, the pilgrims brandished swords and clubs, hurled stones at shops and cars, and attacked local people during a fair in Manikaran. Meanwhile, pilgrims also refused to pay the Green Tax at the Manali entry.
India 09-Mar-2023
According to police sources, during the investigation of the murder case of Jagraon electrician Paramjit Singh, police have found the involvement of Bathinda-based gangster Lucky Khokhar alias Denis. He is currently lodged in a jail in Rajasthan after being arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan. Based on the information provided by the shooters arrested in the murder case, Ludhiana police have initiated proceedings to bring Denis on a production warrant for questioning. According to Police, gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dalla had assigned Denis to execute the electrician.
India 10-Mar-2023
Nakodar Sadar police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Yadwindar Singh, and recovered 70 grams of opium from his possession in Sidhupur village in Nakodar in Jalandhar district.
India 10-Mar-2023
The Nurmahal police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Indarjit Singh along with 65 intoxicating capsules and 120 tablets in Sanghe Khalsa village in Nurmahal in Jalandhar district.
India 10-Mar-2023
Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese and Indian PM Narendra Modi discussed the latest attacks by Khalistan supporters on Hindu temples in Australia during the bilateral meeting on March 10 in New Delhi. The discussion was held in response to pro-Khalistan extremists vandalizing a number of notable temples in Australian cities like Melbourne and Brisbane. “It is a matter of regret that reports of attacks on temples have come regularly from Australia over the past few weeks. It is natural that such news worries everyone in India, disturbs our mind," said PM Narendra Modi in a joint press conference with Albanese. According to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, Albanese assured Modi that the Australian authorities will deal with the matter to assure social stability. “The Prime Minister mentioned to the Prime Minister of Australia that this is something that disrupts the peace and harmony of both our societies and there is a need to take cognizance of the challenge that this represents," said Kwatra.
India 10-Mar-2023
The secretary for information and broadcasting, Apurva Chandra on March 10 stated that at least six foreign-operated YouTube channels that were allegedly promoting pro-Khalistan sentiments were blocked at the instance of the central government during the past ten days. He also said that these channels with Punjabi-language content were trying to stir up trouble in the border state of Punjab.
India 10-Mar-2023
The Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) vice-chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu and police on March 10 denied Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s claim that he had raised Khalistan flag at GNDU. A police official investigating the issue said that, “We didn’t find anything with regards to the claims of Pannun; there is much likely possibility of fake videos sent by SFJ to gain popularity in media.” Earlier, ahead of the visit of President Droupadi Murmu, on March 9, Pannun, in a video message, claimed to have put banners eulogizing Khalistan on the walls of GNDU.
Australia 10-Mar-2023
According to reports, Khalistan supporters on March 10 raised pro-Khalistan flags at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Rome Street Parkland, Brisbane, Australia. The report said that few people were seen chanting "Khalistan Zindabaad" slogans with Khalistan flags at Rome Parkland in Brisbane.
India 10-Mar-2023
According to reports, Punjab police have begun acting against people promoting a pro-Khalistan hysteria and campaign on social media and are gradually tightening the noose around Waris Punjab De (WPD) activists. After the Ajnala incident, the Punjab police reportedly designed a plan to weaken Amritpal Singh's roots in Punjab. The first step was to start the process of canceling the arms licenses of WPD activists, followed by the arrest of Gurinderpal Singh who is a close ally of Amritpal Singh. Further action against WPD activists is expected to follow the G-20 summits in Amritsar.
Pakistan 10-Mar-2023
The Pakistani government has permitted the publication of religious books for students from Sikh and Christian minority communities under the supervision of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (PMTA). Anjum James Paul, the chairman of (PMTA), said that it will help minority students to learn about their religion in schools. However, minority groups, including Hindus, Buddhists, Parsees, Kalash, and Baha’is, are still not permitted to print their religious textbooks in Pakistan.
India 11-Mar-2023
Australia's Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese during his visit to New Delhi on March 11 stated that Australia will not tolerate any extremist activities or attacks on places of worship, particularly Hindu temples in Australia. He further assured that "we will take every measure through our security agencies and police to make sure that whoever is guilty of this faces the full force of the law. Australia is a tolerant, multicultural country, thus this activity has no place there”.
India 11-Mar-2023
Inspector General of Police (IG, Ludhiana Zone) Kaustubh Sharma on March 11 disclosed that Lovejeet Kang, a gangster based in the United States (US), along with his accomplices, recruited Punjab youths into their gang using social media platforms. According to him, the gang members would identify financially vulnerable youth and notify Kang, who would offer them financial assistance before recruiting them into his gang.
India 11-Mar-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) recovered approximately 3.05 kg of heroin dropped by drone near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district on March 11. According to reports, the drone was fired by the BSF troops, but it managed to escape back to the Pakistani border.
India 11-Mar-2023
Panthic bodies and activists, led by former militant leader and All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) president Daljit Singh Bittu, on March 11 announced to call a World Sikh Convention on June 28, to liberate the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat, from the influence of electoral bodies and revive old Sikh traditions. Bittu said, “The international gathering will be hosted at Anandpur Sahib on Miri-Piri Divas (June 28) this year. The intention is to address the current challenges facing Sikhs around the world today, with a primary focus on coming to a collective resolution on re-establishing panch pardhani (collective) leadership and gurmatta-based decision-making at Akal Takht Sahib”. “Sikh organisations, institutions and representatives will be invited from all over the world to participate in the effort to liberate Akal Takht Sahib from the influence of electoral parties and shift its governance processes in line with panthic tradition and collective decision-making,” he said.
India 12-Mar-2023
A panel formed by the Akal Takht to decide whether the "saroop" (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib can be brought to protest sites submitted its report on March 12. A spokesperson from the Akal Takht secretariat stated that a decision on the matter will be made public after the meeting of the "Panj Singh Sahiban," or five Sikh high priests, on March 14 at the Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in the Golden Temple complex.
India 12-Mar-2023
Gujarat Police on March 12 arrested two accused, identified as Rahul Kumar Dwivedi and Narendra Kushwaha for allegedly making threats to disrupt a cricket match at the behest of the pro-Khalistan organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh. During the search, police also seized 11 sim boxes, each of which could hold 300 sim cards, and four routers. Prior to the India-Australia cricket match, which was attended by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, a mass message which warned that a pro-Khalistan group planned to storm the cricket stadium and raise its flag was sent out widely.
India 13-Mar-2023
Police on March 13 arrested an alleged aide of pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh, identified as Sukhmander Singh in connection with an attempt to murder and robbery case from Amritsar. Karanjit Singh alias Vicky was assaulted and robbed by armed persons on March 5. Police also booked Gurinder Singh Ghali of Moga along with his unknown accomplices in this case.
India 13-Mar-2023
The Valmiki Sevak Sangh (VSS) on March 13 organized a protest march from Bharat Nagar Chowk to the Police Commissioner's office in Ludhiana, demonstrating against the drug epidemic and gang violence prevalent in Punjab.
India 13-Mar-2023
Dal Khalsa sent letters to heads of missions of all 19 countries in Delhi prior to their delegates' visit to Amritsar as part of the G20 summit.
India 13-Mar-2023
Punjab police on March 13 conducted an operation called "OPS Seal-II" as part of the new security arrangements in the state in the wake of the G20 Summit. The operation was executed on the orders of the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, and targeted ten inter-state borders in the state, where all vehicles entering were thoroughly inspected. The primary objective of the operation was to curb the influx of illegal substances, such as drugs, alcohol, weapons, and ammunition, while also monitoring for gang-related and other disruptive activities.
India 13-Mar-2023
The Crime Investigating Agency (CIA) arrested two alleged drug peddlers along with 6 kg of opium in two separate cases in Jagraon in Ludhiana district on March 13. The accused were identified as Gurjit Singh alias Geeti, who was found to be carrying 5 kg of opium, and Mann Singh, who had 1 kg of opium in his possession.
India 14-Mar-2023
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill on March 14 stated that the Punjab Police had arrested 11,360 drug traffickers, including 1,628 ‘big fish’ since July 5, 2022. Additionally, the Police have registered 8458 first information reports (FIR) of which 962 are connected to commercial quantity. The police teams have recovered 612.78 Kg of heroin from across the state after carrying out cordon and search operations in drug-affected areas across the state. Furthermore, 147.5 kg of heroin were seized at Gujarat and Maharashtra seaports, bringing the total amount of heroin recovered in just eight months to 760.28 kgs. Along with a large quantity of heroin, the IGP stated that, police also seized a massive haul of opium, 586 kg of ganja, 270 quintals of poppy husk, and 53.73 lakh tablets, capsules, injections, vials of pharmaceutical opioids and INR 10.36 lakh drug money from different parts of the state. The IGP further said that in the last week, the police had arrested 234 drug smugglers and suppliers after registering 189 FIRs, including 22 commercials, and recovered 7.60-Kg heroin, 10.30-Kg opium, 13.87-Kg Ganja, 2.80 quintals of poppy husk, and 59271 tablets, capsules, injections and vials of Pharma opioids besides recovering INR 1.47 lakh drug money from their possession. He added that with 25 more proclaimed offenders (POs) and absconders in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases arrested in the last one week, the total number of arrests reached 749 since the special drive was started on July 5, 2022.
India 14-Mar-2023
The Dal Khalsa decided to hold a Punjab Summit in Amritsar on March 19 parallel to the G20 summit in order to present Punjab's perspective on social, economic, educational, agricultural, human rights, and political matters to the G20 nations. Paramjit Singh Mand, the spokesperson for Dal Khalsa, announced that speakers from diverse Sikh organizations, institutions, farmers' groups, as well as experts on the subject, will be invited to participate in the summit.
India 14-Mar-2023
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) alleged that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) used the Guru Granth Sahib as a "shield" to aid the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in taking over a section of the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi.
India 14-Mar-2023
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) has enquired with the Punjab Government regarding the absence of a qualified panel to facilitate the appointment of a permanent Director General of Police (DGP) as the head of the state police. Official sources state that the state government did not provide a response to the MHA's correspondence on the matter.
India 14-Mar-2023
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on March 14 prohibited the use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles throughout the region from March 14–21 due to the presence of VIPs and international delegates associated with the G20 Summit and their mobility. The places where the delegates would be staying and the relevant routes have been declared as red zones, and the flying of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles has been prohibited to increase security and prevent any untoward incident from airborne entities. This prohibition also encompasses the sites where the G20 Education Working Group gatherings will take place.
India 14-Mar-2023
In the wake of a video clip released by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) of damaging the railway track leading towards Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant at Lehra Mohabbat ahead of the G20 Summit, Punjab police on March 14 carried out a special cordon and search operation in all 28 police districts of the state and conducted searches at various locations and hideouts connected to foreign-based gangsters and their allies. According to the police, more than 300 houses and other shelters were checked during these raids, which included nearly 100 police parties and more than 1,000 police officers.
India 15-Mar-2023
Police arrested four members of the Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Mannu Batta, Aman Kumar, Sanjeev, and Kamaldeep, and recovered three .32 bore pistols, a revolver, and 23 live cartridges from them in Chandigarh on March 15. The suspects used to extort money from club and hotel owners at the behest of Gaurav Patiala alias Lucky and Prince, who are based in Canada.
India 15-Mar-2023
The Punjab government on March 15 claimed that there has been a significant improvement in the law-and-order situation in the border state one year after the government, led by Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, took office. The Punjab government’s spokesperson stated that the law-and-order situation in the border state has witnessed a considerable improvement as majority of criminals and gangsters have been put behind the bar, while, many of them chose to leave the state amidst the strict vigil maintained by Punjab Police on the movement of anti-social elements. According to the official data from March 16, 2022, to March 15, 2023, the Punjab Police have dismantled 26 terror modules with the arrest of 168 terrorists/radicals after recovering 31 rifles, 201 revolvers/pistols, 9 tiffin Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), 8.72 kg of RDX and other explosives, 11 hand grenades, two sleeves of disposed rocket launchers, 30 drones, and one loaded rocket propelled grenade. Similarly, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), since its formation on April 6, 2022, has succeeded in busting 162 gangster/criminal modules after arresting 582 gangsters/criminals and neutralising five, after recovering 586 weapons, 131 vehicles used in criminal activities. The Punjab Police had also waged a decisive war against drugs which resulted in the arrest of as many as 17568 drug smugglers after registering 13094 FIRs since March 16, 2022, against them. Punjab Police have effectively recovered a record 863.9Kg heroin in just one year.
India 15-Mar-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on March 15 stated that the state is not experiencing a surge in radicalisation. "In Punjab, social ties are very strong. The current problems Punjab is facing are related to employment, industry, higher education, and health”, said the CM.
Australia 15-Mar-2023
Khalistan supporters organized an unauthorized gathering that obstructed the entrance to the Honorary Consulate of India situated in Brisbane, Australia, resulting in its closure on March 15. According to reports, slogans were raised against Hindus calling them supremacists with ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ during the gathering of Khalistani supporters. According to Sarah L Gates, the Director of Hindu Human Rights, the Indian consulate had to shut down for safety reasons after Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) targeted them with their propaganda. This is not the first instance of Khalistan supporters intimidating the Indian consulate in Brisbane, Australia; on February 21, they raised the Khalistan flag at the consulate's office.
India 15-Mar-2023
The Punjab Prisons Department claimed that the gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview that was broadcasted on a television channel on March 14 was not shot inside any prison in the state. Bishnoi, who was arrested in connection with the murder of Punjabi singer-politician Sidhu Moose Wala, is currently lodged in Bathinda jail in Punjab. Punjab Police said, "It has come to notice that a private TV news channel has aired an interview with prisoner Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly from within a jail. There are rumors circulating that the interview was recorded from Bathinda Jail. To be very clear, neither Bathinda jail, where the prisoner is currently kept nor any other jail in Punjab is where this video is from, confirming that all the rumors are baseless.”
India 16-Mar-2023
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the disturbance caused by supporters of Khalistani at the Indian consulate in Brisbane has been brought to the attention of the Australian authorities, and they are expected to take necessary measures in response. He stated, "Consulate was halted for little while. Australian authorities were informed of the issue, and they would need to take appropriate action. Prime Minister (PM) Modi already raised concerns on such issues in their meeting on March 10 when with his counterpart Australian PM. Our teams are in touch".
India 16-Mar-2023
The Border Security Force's (BSF) new Inspector General (IG) for the Punjab frontier, Dr. Atul Fulzele, on March 16, stated that his aim is to check human and drone infiltration from Pakistan to halt the inflow of drugs and weapons.
India 16-Mar-2023
During an interview, Jaswant Singh Thekedar, the Dal Khalsa founder, asserted that the ‘Khalistan referendum’ is a scheme orchestrated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and is an effort to deceive the public. He emphasized that the so-called referendum has no connection to the Sikh community in India. He said that Pakistan is the real enemy of Khalistan and "some Sikhs are working as tools" in hands of Pakistan government. He also said the people of Punjab are not demanding any referendum. "The referendum you are talking about, those in Punjab do not demand it. It's an organisation 2020, they talk of referendum on the instructions of ISI. Referendum does not mean... if Indian passport holders or Indian citizens want it then it is understandable, but it is not that Canadian, American or British people vote. They do not have any right," he said answering queries. "It is 'pakhand' (sham) to mislead people. People are understanding it a source of income for them," he added. He also stated that he admires the effort done by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi for the Sikh community. He added, “The government has worked on major demands, and only a few demands and left to be fulfilled. All will be good if they agree to meet these demands”.
India 16-Mar-2023
Three members of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, identified as Sonu, Sachin, and Harish were arrested after a brief encounter in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan on March 16. According to police sources, the gang had been trying to extort money from a businessman. Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, purportedly threatened the businessman over the phone before sending two of his aides to his house to extort money. All three were reportedly acting on Anmol Bishnoi's orders.
India 17-Mar-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in an audio message on March 17 threatened to teach the big leaders of the country a lesson and also threw a challenge to Gujarat police. The message, which was pre-recorded and directed to numerous mobile users in Gujarat, contained Pannun's allegation that the Union government's leaders were accountable for the fatalities of Sikh farmers who demonstrated against the new agricultural policies in 2020-2021. The audio message went on to caution that the SFJ would not pardon the government for those casualties.
India 17-Mar-2023
The founder of Dal Khalsa and former pro-Khalistan leader, Jaswant Singh Thekedar exposed Amritpal Singh by saying that he does not know anything about Khalistan and that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan is using him as a tool. He also, stated, "He is not a Khalistani, but it is certain that he has earned a lot in the name of Khalistan. His plans will not succeed further."
India 17-Mar-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, during the second part of his interview which was broadcasted on a television network on March 17, allegedly threatened to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan by calling it ‘his main goal’. “I will be a big ‘goonda’ (as you call me) when I kill Salman (for shooting a blackbuck in Rajasthan),” he said. He also claimed that Bishnoi community worships blackbucks. Meanwhile, it was officially declared by the in-charge Director General of Punjab (DGP) Gaurav Yadav that Bishnoi's controversial interview with a TV channel was not conducted from the Bathinda jail's high-security area or any other jail in Punjab.
India 17-Mar-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president, Harjinder Singh Dhami, organized a special event to welcome G20 representatives at the Golden Temple in Amritsar where the delegates were honored. Meanwhile, the delegates were also apprised of the Sikh history and the maryada (code of conduct) of the Golden Temple that conveys the message of universal communion.
Australia 18-Mar-2023
According to reports, the Pakistani media is openly campaigning for the second phase of ‘Khalistan Referendum’ which is going to take place at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre in Australia on March 19. The pro-Khalistan separatist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is purportedly organizing the voting. An article in Radio Pakistan published on March 18, claimed that more than 50,000 Sikhs cast their ballots in favor of the Khalistan Referendum during the initial round of voting in Melbourne at the end of January 2023.
India 18-Mar-2023
The hearing in the 2005 sedition case filed against Jagtar Singh Hawara, the chief of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) who is currently serving a life sentence for the assassination of former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, has been postponed until April 1. The court in Chandigarh was set to hear arguments regarding the charges on March 18, with Hawara scheduled to appear through a video link. However, it was discovered that he had been relocated to Delhi's Mandoli jail, while the video link created connected with Tihar Jail. The court attempted unsuccessfully to connect with the new facility, leading to the adjournment of the hearing to April 1.
India 18-Mar-2023
Punjab police on March 18 launched a “massive state-wide cordon and search operation” against Amritpal Singh, and arrested a total of 78 members of Waris Punjab De (WPD) from different locations in Punjab. Police also suspended Internet and SMS services across the state till March 19. However, Amritpal Singh managed to escape the police dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district. According to media reports, police officers from seven different districts chased Amritpal and his accomplices, and surrounded them in the Mehatpur village of the Jalandhar district. Punjab police have also blocked off the route, placed barriers, and are checking all vehicles for Amritpal Singh near the Dharamkot area in Moga district. Later, Punjab police in a statement, said that small arms and ammunition, including a revolver, seven 12-bore rifles, a. 315-bore rifle, and 373 live rounds, were recovered during the crackdown. It also said that WPD members faced four cases for “spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants”.
India 18-Mar-2023
Meanwhile, several police and paramilitary force were deployed outside of Amritpal's native village Jallupur Khaira in Amritsar district. Notably, this police action comes a day ahead of the start of Amritpal’s “Khalsa Wahir” (a religious procession) from Muktsar district. According to official sources, internet access was shut down as Amritpal’s supporters started spreading inflammatory messages on social media.
India 18-Mar-2023
During Punjab police’s massive crackdown against self-styled Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and his outfit Waris Punjab De (WPD) on March 18, in a Facebook Live video, Amritpal Singh's aide claimed that over 100 Punjab Police officials were chasing him out for arrest. In the video that was shared, Amritpal was seen sitting in a vehicle, and one of his aides could be heard saying that police were looking for "Bhai saab" (Amritpal).
India 18-Mar-2023
According to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), which is closely monitoring the situation in Punjab, some of the funding and logistical support for Amritpal Singh and his outfit Waris Punjab De (WDP) is coming from the terror-gangster-drug smuggling network and, to a certain extent, from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through Pakistan-based Pro-Khalistan Entities (PKEs). As per the UMHA officials, “the main source for terror and radical funding in Punjab is foreign-based PKEs and donors who are collecting and channelising donation from Indian diaspora”. The officials said, "they mostly target places like Gurudwaras where large gatherings of devotees congregate on weekends and on auspicious occasions," adding that some organizations that assert to be fighting for community justice and the rights of convicts are soliciting significant donations in this regard. A high-ranking official in the Punjab state administration stated that funds raised from the Indian diaspora in the name of aiding the underprivileged are being diverted towards assisting jailed terrorists, those acquitted or released on bail or parole for various terrorist crimes, and family members of terrorists, as well as sleeper cells and other anti-national elements. This, according to the official, is a deliberate attempt to revive Sikh militancy and support terrorist and anti-India activities.
India 18-Mar-2023
Pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh on March 18 accused that his son is being targeted by police due to political pressure because he is actively working to eradicate drug use in Punjab. “This action against Amritpal is unjustified. There are drugs in every home. But there is no focus on that issue. If someone is trying to end the drug menace, he is being stopped," he said.
India 18-Mar-2023
On March 18, several members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (Community Justice Front) staged a sit-in at the Sohana chowk in Mohali on the Airport Road in response to police action taken against pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh and his supporters. Some of the youths taking part in the protest had covered their faces and were armed with traditional weapons, swords, and sticks.
India 19-Mar-2023
According to reports, Pakistan's external spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been the driving force behind Amritpal Singh's back to India with the aim of reviving Khalistani terrorism in Punjab. According to the officials, Amritpal Singh was a truck driver in Dubai before the ISI, with the help of Khalistan supporters based outside India, radicalized him so that he could plunge Punjab again into the dark days of terrorism. Amritpal had been openly making statements about declaring secession from India and forming Khalistan. He tried to incite the Sikh youths to resort to armed revolt against the democratically elected government in order to oppose the supposedly discriminatory treatment being mete to achieve the 'ultimate goal' of the formation of 'Khalistan', the officials said.
Canada 19-Mar-2023
The Indian High Commissioner in Canada was forced to postpone an event in British Columbia when Khalistan supporters who protested Punjab police’s crackdown against Amritpal Singh blocked the venue's entrance on March 19. India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma was scheduled to attend a reception organised by the Friends of India & Canada Foundation in Surrey, British Columbia. Prior to the scheduled start time, around 200 protesters, some carrying swords, gathered in front of the Taj Park Convention Centre, preventing the event from proceeding. In response, Maninder Gill, the Foundation's president, expressed his disappointment, stating that "it is a shame if even the High Commissioner cannot be safeguarded in this country."
India 19-Mar-2023
Indian counterterrorism officials on March 19 claimed that Amritpal Singh, the leader of Waris Punjab De (WPD), was trained by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Georgia before returning to India from Dubai, UAE. They further alleged that Amritpal maintained close connections with the pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and received funding as part of a broader plan to revive militancy in Punjab. According to an official, “Amritpal Singh was given money as part of a well-orchestrated scheme to resurrect militancy in Punjab while he was living in Dubai, which is a hub for ISI agents. Before his flight to India, ISI sent him to Georgia for training’’. "Amritpal Singh also has ties to SFJ and has even campaigned for its social media activities. Besides, he has links with drug smugglers across the border identified by their pseudo names – Billa, Bilal and Rana,” the official added.
United Kingdom 19-Mar-2023
United Kingdom (UK) based pro-Khalistan activist, Avtar Singh Khanda was arrested for pulling down the Indian flag at the Embassy in London on March 19. According to sources, Avtar Singh Khanda is the son of Kulwant Singh Khukrana who was a terrorist of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).
United Kingdom 19-Mar-2023
Khalistani supporters pulled down the Indian national flag flying atop the Indian High Commission building in London on March 19. While chanting pro-Khalistani slogans and holding Khalistani flags, the protesting group also caused damage to the High Commission building's window. However, no injuries were reported in the incident. Following the event, a man was taken into custody on suspicion of initiating the violent act.
India 19-Mar-2023
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement on March 19, said that India summoned the most senior United Kingdom (UK) diplomat in Delhi after vandalism happened at the Indian High Commission in London and expressed India's strong protest at the activities committed by separatist and extremist forces. The MEA statement said, 'An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. In this context, she was reminded of the fundamental responsibilities the UK Government has under the Vienna Convention.’
India 19-Mar-2023
Security agencies raised a red flag on March 19 after they found that Amritpal Singh was stockpiling weapons and training young people to carry out suicide attacks using drug rehabilitation centres and a gurdwara. According to an intelligence dossier, Amritpal Singh was indoctrinating youths to become "khadkoos," or human bombs. Police sources indicated that numerous drug rehabilitation centers run by Waris Punjab De (WPD) and a gurudwara in Amritsar were involved in illegal firearms storage. According to the police sources, several drug rehabilitation centres operated by the WPD and a gurudwara in Amritsar which are involved in the illegal stockpiling of firearms. Young people admitted to the drug rehabilitation centers were reportedly subjected to brainwashing and pressured into the "gun culture." They were being directed to follow the example of slain terrorist Dilawar Singh and act as a human bomb.
Canada 19-Mar-2023
Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, received backlash on Twitter for expressing concern about the Punjab police's extensive crackdown in the state and subsequent suspension of the internet to arrest Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh. Singh appealed to Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau to intervene in the situation through his tweets. However, some social media users criticized him for openly supporting a terrorist.
India 19-Mar-2023
At least 21 supporters of Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh were arrested for trying to hold a "dharna" (protest) against the police crackdown on Amritpal near Boparai Klan town in Ludhiana on March 19. According to the police, flag marches were also held in Nawanshahr, Dakha, and Sidhwan in Ludhiana.
India 19-Mar-2023
On March 19, the police arrested 17 persons as part of a crackdown against the members of Waris Punjab De (WPD) in the Malwa region of Patiala district. Meanwhile, police dispersed a group of Amritpal's supporters gathered near the Shambhu barrier to block the national highway.
Australia 19-Mar-2023
Pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) reportedly organized a ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’ in Brisbane, Australia on March 19. However, the turnout for the event was reportedly low, with only about 100 attendees present. The editor of Australia Today, Jai Bharadwaj, stated that the organizers originally intended for the event to run from 9 am to 5 pm, but closed it down at 4 pm due to lack of attendance. Even, the majority of gurudwaras turned down the requests for assistance from the referendum organizers.
India 19-Mar-2023
Police, during the massive search operation on March 19, recovered weapons, uniforms and bulletproof jackets marked with the abbreviation ‘AKF’ from pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh’s native village, Jallupur Khera near Rayya in Amritsar district. According to sources, "AKF" supposedly stands for ‘Anandpur Khalsa Force’. The weapons seized from his supporters also bore the same abbreviation. According to Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Satinder Singh, this was part of the investigation about the motive behind creating the ‘AKF’. Additionally, it was observed that the entrance gate of Amritpal's residence also had "AKF" written on it.
India 19-Mar-2023
Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on March 19, said that the governments should desist from instilling fear in Punjab for political interests, taking a strong note of the state-wide crackdown by the Punjab Police and central agencies against Waris Punjab De (WPD) head Amritpal Singh and his supporters.
India 19-Mar-2023
Punjab police on March 19 recovered a black SUV (ISUZU) from Salema village in Mehatpur in Jalandhar district, which was being used by Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh and his aides. Police recovered a 15-bore rifle, 57 rounds, a sword, and two number plates from inside the impounded car. Police claimed that this was the same car from which a video had gone viral on March 18. Police have seized three vehicles so far during the search operation and registered two additional First Information Reports (FIRs) in this connection.
India 19-Mar-2023
Intelligence agencies claimed that while Waris Punjab De (WDP) leader Amritpal Singh was in Dubai, he was in regular contact with Khalistani militant Paramjit Singh Pamma and Lakhbir Singh Rode's brother Jaswant Singh Rode, who is a banned Khalistani operator stationed in Pakistan. The agencies have also obtained information about funds that the treasurer of Amritpal, identified as Basant Singh Daulatpura, received from Pakistan. An intelligence officer said, “The financial analysis revealed that his associate, John Singh, is a prominent member of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and actively participated in the activities of Referendum 2020 in the US. Another suspected financier, who is Canada-based, recently sent Rs 1 lakh for Waris Punjab De.” Before returning to India on August 20, 2022, Amritpal spent one-and-a-half months in Georgia, a senior officer said.
United States 19-Mar-2023
A group of pro-Khalistan protesters on March 19 attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, United States (US). As per accounts, the protesters forcefully breached the temporary security barriers that had been erected by the city police and placed two ‘Khalistani’ flags inside the premises of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. The flags were promptly removed by two consulates. Subsequently, a group of angry protesters invaded the consulate's grounds, chanted pro-Khalistan slogans, and vandalized the doors and windows using iron rods. The group also reportedly spray-painted a call to ‘free Amritpal’ on the outer wall of the Indian Consulate. Ajay Bhutoria, a community leader, denounced the attack and stated that this violent act not only poses a threat to the diplomatic ties between the US and India but also disrupts the peace and harmony within the community.
Australia 19-Mar-2023
Khalistan supporters gathered outside the parliament building in Canberra, Australia to protest against the Indian police’s crackdown on Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab.
India 19-Mar-2023
The Haryana Police on March 19 arrested a woman, identified Baljit Kaur for reportedly providing shelter to Amritpal Singh, the leader of Waris Punjab De (WPD), and his associate Papalpreet Singh at her residence in Shahabad in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. The police believe that this arrest implies that Amritpal may have left Punjab.
India 19-Mar-2023
Punjab police arrested the gunman of Amritpal Singh, identified as Tejinder Singh alias Gorkha Baba, from Mangewal village in Ludhiana district.
India 20-Mar-2023
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement said that during a meeting with the United States (US) Charge d' Affaires in New Delhi on March 20, India strongly objected to the damage caused to the property of the Consulate General of India in San Francisco and conveyed its protest. The MEA reminded the US government of its fundamental responsibility to safeguard and secure diplomatic representation and urged it to take suitable actions to prevent any future such occurrences. Furthermore, the Indian Embassy in Washington DC also communicated similar concerns to the US State Department.
United States 20-Mar-2023
Indian Americans strongly condemned the attack and demanded that those responsible for it be brought to justice right away. The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) remarked, "We are outraged by the entire breakdown of law and order in both London and San Francisco when a few radicalized separatists stormed India's diplomatic offices.”
United Kingdom 20-Mar-2023
The British Conservative MP (Member of Parliament), Bob Blackman on March 20 expressed that the majority of Sikhs living in the United Kingdom (UK) ‘totally reject’ the Khalistani project. He further urged the police to handle separatist groups in the UK effectively. He said, “This is a very small, ultra-small section of the Sikh community. The vast majority of Sikhs in this country absolutely reject the Khalistani project... It's not going to happen as we know...My message is very simple to the police, when this happens, those people need to be arrested & dealt with properly.”
United Kingdom 20-Mar-2023
After pro-Khalistani protestors pulled down India's national flag on March 19, the Indian High Commission in London responded by hoisting an even larger tricolour flag in the building. The officials from the Indian High Commission stated that the attack was unsuccessful, and the new tricolour flag was now flying with even greater grandeur.