KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 05-Feb-2025
On February 5, family members and supporters of gangster Sagar Newton blocked the Ferozepur Road highway in Ludhiana, alleging he died under mysterious circumstances while in judicial custody. They placed his body on the road, demanding action against jail officials before cremation. His family rejected claims that he died of a diabetes attack and kidney failure, insisting he was fit during his last court appearance in January. The protest caused heavy traffic congestion in the area.
Canada 05-Feb-2025
According to reports, Canada's failure to adopt a law similar to the United States' (US) Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act has allowed organized crime to thrive, enabling gangs to launder billions and fuel the opioid crisis. While the US RICO law empowers prosecutors to dismantle entire criminal enterprises, Canada’s legal framework remains focused on individuals, limiting enforcement. Decades of inaction and political roadblocks have stalled meaningful reform. With Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau’s recent pledge to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering, Canada must take decisive steps to address this escalating crisis.
India 05-Feb-2025
According to reports, despite harsh conditions abroad, Punjabi youth remain eager to migrate, often risking their lives for the promise of better opportunities in Western countries. The recent deportation of illegal immigrants from the United States (US), including 30 from Punjab, and the return of Indians who served as helpers in the Russian Army underscore this desperation. Experts attribute the large-scale migration to limited job opportunities and security concerns in Punjab, emphasizing that migration should be a last resort. They advocate for skills development and local employment initiatives to address the root causes of this trend.
India 05-Feb-2025
On February 5, 2025, a United States (US) military aircraft carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants landed at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab. This marks the first batch of deportations under the US crackdown on illegal immigration. Among the deportees, 30 are from Punjab, while others are from Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Chandigarh. Punjab authorities are verifying their backgrounds before release.
India 05-Feb-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on February 5 arrested a serving Army constable and two others on charges of spying and cross-border drug peddling, identified as Amritpal Singh, Mandeep Singh alias Maddy, and Madhav Sharma, along with 500 grams of heroin, a .30 bore pistol, INR 10 lakh in drug money, and a cash counting machine in Amritsar in Amritsar district. They allegedly shared sensitive Army information with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Another Army constable, Rajbir Singh, has been nominated in the case.
India 06-Feb-2025
Langroya village, once a major drug hotspot in Nawanshahr, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district, has shown signs of improvement due to police crackdowns and rehabilitation efforts. Since January 1 last year, 33 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered, leading to key arrests and community outreach programs. Former peddlers have been rehabilitated with jobs, while women previously involved in the trade have taken up goat rearing. Police have also introduced sports activities to keep youth engaged. Encouraged by Langroya’s progress, authorities plan to extend similar strategies to other drug-affected villages in the district.
United States 06-Feb-2025
According to reports, judges in the United States (US) have rejected asylum claims of illegal immigrants seeking refuge under the pretext of being Khalistani supporters. Many have been deported, as even Khalistani leaders refused to support their claims in court. A deported Sikh warned others against entering the US illegally, stating that courts have become stricter. Reports also reveal that false persecution certificates were issued in exchange for money to facilitate asylum claims abroad.
India 06-Feb-2025
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Jalandhar Range on February 6 arrested an unidentified smuggler and seized 10.163 kg of heroin from his possession in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. Further investigations are underway to uncover the entire network.
India 06-Feb-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Manan on February 6 confirmed that the executive body meeting will be held on February 10 at its headquarters in Amritsar, Punjab. The agenda includes discussions on the inquiry against suspended Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, along with other Panthic and administrative matters.
India 06-Feb-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on February 6 recovered a Pakistani drone from the outskirts of Mahawa village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was identified as a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
India 07-Feb-2025
The Police on February 7 busted an inter-state drug cartel operating in Punjab from Uttar Pradesh (UP) via Haryana with the arrest of six persons, identified as Parvinder Singh, Sahil, Pankaj Chaudhary alias Virat, Shubham, Shahid and Wasim, and seized 2.57 lakh tablets, capsules, 21,364 injections and 738 vials containing banned medicines, along with three cars, motorcycle and scooters from their possession in Fatehgarh Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab.
Canada 07-Feb-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau’s Office on February 7 announced the appointment of three new independent senators—Baltej Dhillon for British Columbia, Martine Hébert for Quebec, and Todd Lewis for Saskatchewan. Dhillon, an anti-gang specialist, was the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer to wear a turban, while Hébert is an economist and former diplomat, and Lewis is a farmer and agriculture leader.
India 07-Feb-2025
Punjab Minister for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Affairs Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on February 7 reaffirmed the state government’s zero-tolerance policy towards travel agents involved in human trafficking and vowed strict action against them. He condemned the handcuffing and shackling of 104 Indian nationals deported from the United States (US), calling it a human rights violation. Following a complaint by a deportee, an Amritsar-based travel agent, Satnam Singh, has been booked, and his office sealed. Dhaliwal urged more victims to come forward and sought intervention from Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar for better treatment of deportees.
India 07-Feb-2025
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Punjab Police on February 7 arrested an individual, identified as Happy Singh, and seized two unlicensed .32 calibre pistols, four live cartridges, and a bike from his possession at a naka (checkpoint) near the Abohar-Killianwali bypass in Fazilka district. Police intercepted Singh while he was en route to Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan and suspect him of smuggling illegal weapons. A case has been registered under the Arms Act, and further investigation is underway.
India 07-Feb-2025
A Delhi court on February 7 deferred its verdict to February 12 in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots murder case against former Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Sajjan Kumar. The case pertains to the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son in Saraswati Vihar. Kumar, already serving a life sentence in another riots case, was accused by the prosecution of leading the mob.
India 07-Feb-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief Aman Arora on February 7 asserted that AAP will win the Delhi elections. He questioned why Punjab should consider only a Jat Sikh as Chief Minister (CM), emphasizing the need for inclusive leadership. With two years left for the Punjab Assembly polls, he highlighted the party’s focus on industrial investment and improving law and order.
India 07-Feb-2025
Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Amritsar, arrested three unidentified individuals and seized two packets of heroin weighing 1.069 kg near Barwan village in Pathankot in Gurdaspur district on February 7. The heroin, wrapped in yellow adhesive tape and attached to a nylon string, is suspected to have been dropped by a drone. Investigations are underway to identify the source and intended recipients of the contraband.
India 07-Feb-2025
An affidavit submitted by the anti-Sikh riots cell in the Supreme Court on February 7 revealed that out of 650 cases registered by Delhi Police, charge sheets were filed in 362 cases, but only 39 cases resulted in the conviction of 442 individuals. The affidavit highlighted lapses in the investigation, including untraced cases, unfiled murder charges, and perfunctory appeals dismissed due to delays. It also noted that serious crimes, such as murder and gang rape, were never properly investigated.
India 08-Feb-2025
Jalandhar Rural Police on February 8 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Baldev Singh alias Ballo and seized 50 grams of heroin along with a TVS Apache motorcyclep from his possession, near Kartarpur in Jalandhar district.
India 09-Feb-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on February 9 arrested an Army jawan, identified as Sandeep Singh, for allegedly leaking confidential information to Pakistan-based intelligence agencies and seized three mobile phones from his possession in Patiala district. Currently posted at the Nasik Army camp, he was on leave at the time of his arrest. His apprehension followed the interrogation of Amritpal Singh, who was earlier arrested for involvement in spying and cross-border drug peddling. Further investigations are underway.