KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
09-Mar-1988
Jasbir Singh Rode takes over as Jathedar Akal Takht. Saropas presented on behalf of Panthic committee, AISSF, KCF, BTFK, Akal Federation and SGPC.
08-Mar-1988
SGPC accepts the resignation of Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi and formally appoints Jasbir Singh Rode as Jathedar Akal Takht.
04-Mar-1988
Jasbir Singh Rode and other High priests released from jail.
14-Feb-1988
Atinderpal Singh Bhopal, Husan Singh, Husna of Rangretta Commando Force and others form the Khalistan Liberation Organization (KLO) at Anadpur Sahib with Atinderpal Singh as its President.
26-Jan-1988
Panthic Committee displays a Khalistan map at the Parikrama of Golden Temple in which air and sea ports and some cities are renamed and entire India is claimed as Khalistan.
19-Jan-1988
Three suspected Khalistani terrorists rob Rs. 28,42,860 from the State Bank of Patiala, Nalagarh.
23-Dec-1987
Gurnam Singh Buttar of the AISSF and fellow Akalis presents ed a resolution on Khalistan the Shaheedi Jorh Mela organised by the United Akali Dal at Fatehgarh Sahib, which was passed by a show of hands Gurnam Singh Buttar of AISSF got resolution passed from the United Akali Dal stage at Fatehgarh Sahib.
14-Dec-1987
SSP, A.S Brar and Additional SP, K.R.S Gill were shot dead by two terrorists at Patiala. The two terrorists putting on track suits pretending to be sportsmen opened fire upon them, as a result of which both the officers died on the spot.
12-Dec-1987
PS Badal was released from detention and he suggested a five-point plan which should be accepted by the Centre before holding talks on Punjab issue. The Five-points Included, general amnesty, repeal of black laws, stoppage of false encounters, punishment to responsible for Nov. 84 riots and rehabilitation of Sikh army deserters.
22-Oct-1987
Due to the security arrangements, the scheduled Sarbat Khalsa could not be held. The Panthic, in a statement ex-communicated Darshan Singh Ragi, PS Badal, GS Tohra and Kabul Singh asserted nothing short of Khalistan would be acceptable. Appointed Kawaljit Singh Sultanwind as member Panthic Committee in place of Gurdev Singh Usmanwala.
16-Oct-1987
SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee) General House meeting took place at Anandpur Sahib and elected Gurcharan Singh Tohra as its President. However, pro-Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) held separate meeting and elected Harcharan Singh Sudiara as the President of SGPC.
15-Oct-1987
Four high priests of Akal Takht declared to convene Sarbat Khalsa at Golden Temple on October 22.
07-Oct-1987
Member of Panthic Committee, Gurdev Singh Usmanwala was killed in a police encounter. He was one of the five real members of Panthic Committee who declared the creation of Khalistan during January 1986 Sarbat Khalsa.
07-Oct-1987
In a press statement, Nirvair Singh of Panthic Committee announced the formation of a new Council of Khalistan. The organization is comprised of 11 members including Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh as its President, Rajinder Singh Sekhon, Tejinder Singh Babbar, Tejpal Singh Dhami, Harinder Singh, Shamsher Singh of Akal Federation, Satnam Singh of Dal Khalsa, Gurnam Singh Bundala, Wadhawa Singh Babbar, Resham Singh, and Satkar Singh.
01-Oct-1987
Darshan Singh Ragi, current Jathedar of Akal Takht in a statement said that the Sarbat Khalsa could only be summoned by all Sikh organizations and that he will abide by any decision taken by them. He also maintained that Panthic Committee and other Singh Sahibans’ cannot take action against him.
29-Sep-1987
Panthic Committee accused Darshan Singh Ragi, the current Jathedar of Akal Takht of colluding with Surjit Singh Barnala and Balwant Singh. The committee comprising of Wassan Singh Zaffarwal, Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, Dalbir Singh, Uday Singh, Dalwinder Singh, Subegh Singh, and Gurdev Singh criticized Darshan Singh Ragi for condemning the resolution passed during January 1986 Sarbat Khalsa declaring the creation of Khalistan. They also said that a new Jathedar will be appointed in place of Ragi.
09-Sep-1987
Four High priests of Akal Takht criticized the retreat by Darshan Singh Ragi from the Sikh scene. They also announced the merger of 16 militant organizations into one single unit and called upon the Sikhs to help the militants in the struggle for removing shackles of slavery.
30-Aug-1987
Gurbachan Singh Manochahal is re-admitted as the member of Panthic Committee in place of Jaspal Singh.
18-Aug-1987
Four high priests of Akal Takht support Jathedar Darshan Singh Ragi’s statement that militants should provide religious and political leadership. They also call on militant organizations to forge unity.
08-Aug-1987
Akal Takht Jathedar Darshan Singh Ragi decides not to indulge in controversies and conflict with the Sikh youth and withdraws from the scene in order to protect the image of Akal Takht.
04-Aug-1987
Akal Takht Jathedar Darshan Singh Ragi calls a Sikh convention, where he agrees with the militants that Khalsa Raj could not be achieved without weapons.
30-May-1987
The United Akali Dal approves eight more names for the Council including Manjit Singh, Harminder Sandhu and former IAS Gurtej Singh Brar.
12-May-1987
President’s Rule imposed in the state of Punjab and the government of Surjit Singh Barnala is dismissed.
09-May-1987
Gurbachan Singh Manochahal become the ‘chief’ of BTFK.
25-Apr-1987
Jaspal Singh appointed as the member of the Panthic Committee in place of Gurbachan Singh Manochahal.
15-Apr-1987
Gurbachan Singh Manochahal resigns from the Panthic Committee and forms a new organization called “Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan”.
01-Apr-1987
The Secretary of SGPC, Abhinashi Singh and Dr. B.S Brar go missing and are suspected to have been killed by Gurjit Singh of AISSF.
12-Mar-1987
Sukhdev Singh Jhamke announces the formation of Khalistan Security Force with Jagir Singh and Nirvair Singh as its ‘generals’ in order to provide information about Police informers and ‘Amritdharis’.
12-Feb-1987
A group of Sikh extremists loot around Rs. 5.7crore from Punjab National Bank’s Millarganj branch in Ludhiana.
11-Feb-1987
Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala ex-communicated from the Sikh Panth.
09-Feb-1987
The High Priest declares Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala as Tankhiya and asks him to appear before Akal Takht on February 11 to explain why he disobeyed the directive given on February 6.
06-Feb-1987
Akal Takht Jathedar, Darshan Singh Ragi asks all the Akali MPs, MLAs and workers to offer their services to Akal Takht by February 8, failing which they would be considered as “Tankhiya”.
05-Feb-1987
The High Priest announces the formation of United Akali Dal after dissolving all factions of Akali Dal. Simranjit Singh Mann appointed as the President of the organization and a 13-member presidium also constituted to advise him.
26-Jan-1987
Republic Day observed as “Black Day” at some places in Punjab following a call given by United Akali Dal and AISSF. Khalistan flags hoisted on some buildings in the Golden Temple complex.
26-Jan-1987
Darshan Singh Ragi appointed as the Jathedar of Akal Takht during the “Sarbat Khalsa Sammelan” in Amritsar. Giani Puran Singh appointed as Head Granthi and the appointment of Sawinder Singh as the Jathedar of Keshgarh Sahib and Jaswant Singh Zaffarwal as the Jathedar of Damdama Sahib by SGPC approved. Gurbachan Singh Manochahal is included in the Panthic Committee in place of Dhanna Singh. The Khalistan declaration of April 29, 1986 is endorsed and the Jathedar of Akal Takht and other high priests are empowered to call a Sarbat Khalsa. A five -member committee is also formed to assist the Jathedar of Akal Takht.
19-Jan-1987
A Hindu doctor shot dead by two Khalistani extremists on a public bus near Kapurthala.
19-Jan-1987
Sikh gunmen kill a Hindu cloth merchant and two teachers in separate incidents in Gurdaspur district.
19-Jan-1987
General Secretary of Congress in Punjab and a former state minister known for anti-Khalistani position, Joginder Pal Pandey shot dead along with his bodyguard at a gas station in Ludhiana.
02-Dec-1986
Gurcharan Singh Tohra detained under National Security Act.
01-Dec-1986
After his removal from the the Panthic Committee, Aroor Singh organizes splinter groups like Mai Bhago Tat Khalsa, Khalistan Armed Police and Dashmesh Regiment under the banner of AISSF (Manjit Singh). Gurjit Singh of AISSF announces the expulsion of Harminder Singh Sandhu, Rajinder Singh Mehta, Amarjit Singh Chawla, Harinder Kahlon, Virsa Singh Valtoha from the organization.
30-Nov-1986
At least 22 Hindu passengers aboard a bus pulled out and shot dead at Khudda in Hoshiarpur in Punjab.
01-Nov-1986
Sarbat Khalsa called by Gurbachan Singh Manochahal in front of Akal Takht.
24-Oct-1986
The Istari wing of AISSF announces the formation of a Mai Bhago Regiment to avenge the killing of Sikh youth.
03-Oct-1986
Six jeep-borne terrorists attack DGP Julio Francis Ribeiro at the heavily protected Punjab Armed Police (PAP) Headquarters at Sher Shah Suri Marg in Jalandhar Cantonment. Ribeiro escapes unharmed but his wife, Melba is injured.
20-Sep-1986
AISSF (Manjit), a faction of the AISSF – a Sikh radical organization, resolves to continue the struggle in collaboration with Damdami Taksal for the creation of Khalsa Raj.
05-Jul-1986
In a delegate session at Keshgarh Sahib in Rupnagar district, Parkash Singh Badal elected as the President of Shiromani Akali Dal (dissident group), and he condemns the entry of police in the Golden Temple complex.
04-Jun-1986
Shiromani Akali Dal (Dissident group), Damdami Taksal, and AISSF (Manjit) organize a Shaheedi conference. Resolutions are passed demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala and his expulsion from Shiromani Akali Dal. Panthic Committee appoints Gurbachan Singh Manochahal as the Jathedar of Akal Takht in absence of Gurdev Singh, who is under detention.
04-Jun-1986
AISSF workers attack a police Task Force which enters the Golden Temple complex.
30-Apr-1986
Police enter the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar and arrest around 300 persons including the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Gurdev Singh.
29-Apr-1986
The ‘Panthic Committee’, proclaims the independence of “Khalistan” from the Golden Temple complex and urges other nation-states to recognize the government of “Khalistan”. They also ask Sikhs living abroad to migrate to “Khalistan”.