Key SFJ operative sent to NIA remand

MOHALI: Thenational Investigatingagency(nia) courtinmohali on Tuesdayremanded one of the key conspirators of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit for recruiting radical Sikhyouthsin custody till June 29.

Pargat Singh, 23, a resident of Tarmala in Muktsar, was arrested onjune22. Theniasaid he was recruiting Sikh youth on thedirections of foreign handlers in a bid to create unrest in the country. Acasewasregisteredin Amritsar on October 19, 2018, undersections124a, 153-A, 153-B and 120-B of the Indian penal Code. Duringinvestigations, Sections 17, 18, 19 of UA (P) Act and Section 25 of Arms Act were added. Police filed achargesheet against 11 accused in the case in March2019. Thiscasewassubsequently re-registered bythenia on April 5 this year for further investigation.

Theniasaidthecaseisrelated to series of acts of violence, including acts of arson in Punjab during 2017-18. Carrying out of propaganda activities, both onlineandonground, campaigns in support of SFJ’S ‘Referendum 2020’, includingpastingofposters in Delhiandvariouspartsofpunjab, committedbygroupsofradicalised youthsunderdirectionof and financial assistance from SFJ handlers located abroad.

TAKSAL FACTION LEADER AJNALA GRILLED FOR 4 HOURS

Anniateamontuesdaygrilled Amrik Singh Ajnala, leader of a splinter group of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal, in connection withacaseregistered byit under multiple charges including sedition and unlawful activities.

Ajnala was called to a government-owned guest house by the NIA, where he was quizzed for around four hours. The team membersvisitedgurmatvidyala Damdami Taksal, Ajnala’s base here.

As per sources, the NIA registered acase onapril 5 undersections 124-A(sedition), 153-A(promotingenmitybetweendifferent groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 153-B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, the Unlawfulactivities (Prevention) Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.