REFUSAL TO REMOVE SIKH NAMES FROM ‘BLACKLISTED’ LIST

Forty-six names of former Khalistani militants will not be removed from the Punjab government’s list of ‘blacklisted’ Sikh radicals. The reason behind this is attributed to security and intelligence agencies considering them as potential threats amid several reports of attempts made to revive militancy in the state.

The existing blacklist — meant for travel ban and denial of visa — comprises names of 169 Sikhs who were directly or indirectly associated with various pro-Khalistan militant outfits. Names of 46 of them, however, have been cleared by a Punjab government committee for deletion from the central list.

Senior home ministry officials have noted that it is unlikely, the Centre will remove names from the list at a time when reports are showing a revival of militancy in Punjab at the command of Sikh radical and Khalistani militants, who have taken political asylum in other countries. He later noted, that the Punjab government reviews the list as a constant process and keeping in mind radical ideological leanings of former Khalistani militants. “A different view may be taken in case of those who are very old and have no pending cases against them. But it does not appear to be happening in the near future."

The state government's move has raised eyebrows within the security and intelligence establishment. Officials believe that though Sikh militancy ended in Punjab long ago, the government could not take a risk amid reports of attempts made by different elements — including Pakistan's which has given shelter to a number of Khalistani militants — to revive the pro-Khalistan movement.

Police sources in Chandigarh said the blacklist has just been categorised in different segments based on demands made by NRIs to political leaders. No list has, however, been sent to the central government, they added.

A top official said the police department had received the list of 169 names for categorisation under different heads like cases registered, wanted in connection with terrorist activities, status of cases, present address and identity.

The list was categorised and reviewed by the intelligence wing of Punjab police. These include names like Gurmit Sikh Aulakh, Ganga Singh Dhillon, Ajaib Singh Bagri, Balkar Singh, Shingara Singh Mann, Kulbir Singh Barapind and others, after the state police cleared that no criminal cases were registered against them.

Adapted from the Times of India