16 FIRS registered against SFJ: Punjab govt tells high court

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Friday told the Punjab and Haryana high court that sixteen FIRS have been registered against the banned Us-based prokhalistani groub Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and 116 Whatsapp groups relating to the organisation have been blocked.

The information was given during hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Bikramjit Singh Bajwa, a Mohali resident, who had demanded that necessary steps be taken against Sikh for Justice, which, he said, has suddenly become very active furthering the cause of separate state for Sikhs. This organisation is going ahead with all kind of anti national activities and is also provoking the residents of the Punjab especially the Sikh youths to declare a war against the present dispensation, it was informed.

The Punjab government in its response said that the organisation in question has already been banned by the state in July 2019 and its head Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has also been declared as a designated terrorist by the Centre on July 1, 2020.

As many as 116 Whatsapp group relating to this organisation have been blocked and further steps in this regard are being taken. As many as 16 FIRS have been registered against the organisation, the government has told court adding that details of these operations and the steps being taken by the state cannot be disclosed being sensitive and for security reasons.

The court was assured that all necessary measures are being taken by Punjab to prevent any kind of anti national activities being undertaken by the organization including blocking the proposed referendum being taken by the organization. Haryana and Centre too told court that all the necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety and integrity of the country. In view of these statements, the court has disposed of the plea asking Punjab to take note of issues being raised by Bajwa.