SJF fails to starts its ‘voter registration’ for Khalistan
Heavy security arrangements were made around the Golden Temple due to apprehension of US-based body Sikh for Justice (SFJ) trying to start “voters’ registration” for its Khalistani ‘Referendum 2020’ campaign. Police vehicles in large numbers and policemen in plain clothes were seen in the Golden Plaza, from where they kept a watch to foil any anti-national activity.
SFJ’s lead campaigner of the secessionist movement, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, was on Wednesday declared a terrorist by the Union government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Union home ministry had declared seven others as terrorists too. These are: Wadhawa Singh Babbar of Babbar Khalsa International; Lakhbir Singh of International Sikh Youth Federation; Ranjit Singh, Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, Gurmit Singh Bagga, all of Germany-based Khalistan Zindabad Force; Paramjit Singh of Khalistan Commando Force; Hardip Singh Nijjar of Khalistan Tiger Force; and Paramjit Singh of UK-based Babbar Khalsa International.
On Thursday, the Punjab police also registered two separate FIRs, in Amritsar and Kapurthala against him, and his associates Joginder Singh Gujjar, an SFJ member who reportedly came to India from Italy in February this year.
Sources in security agencies said the arrangements were made in view of possibility of some disillusioned SFJ supporters gathering and creating ruckus or making an attempt to begin the voter registration process to attract media attention. SFJ had also urged acting jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh to perform ‘ardas’ on July 4, when it would begin voter registration for its ‘Referendum 2020’ seeking people’s opinion on separating Punjab from the rest of India. SFJ had chosen the date to further inflame the sentiments since on the same day in 1955 police had arrested Sikh leadership demonstrating in support of Punjabi Suba, said sources.
05-Jul-2020
