Terror tag for nine of pro-khalistan groups

THE CENTRE SAID THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN RELENTLESS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO DESTABILISE THE COUNTRY BY TRYING TO REVIVE MILITANCY IN PUNJAB

nNEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Wednesday declared nine pro-khalistan operatives, including Us-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) who has been spearheading a campaign under the banner of “Referendum 2020” for a separate Khalistani state, as “individual terrorists” under the recently amended fourth schedule of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Act (UAPA).

Others on the list are Babbar Khalsa International’s UK chief Paramijit Singh, Canada-based head of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Germany-based members of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) Gurmeet Singh Bagga and Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, and Pakistanbased terrorists – head of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Wadhawa Singh, Lakhbir Singh (International Sikh Youth Federation), Ranjeet Singh (Khalistan Zindabad Force) and Paramjit Singh (Khalistan Commando Force).

“These individuals are involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border and from foreign soil. They have been relentless in their nefarious efforts of destabilising the country, by trying to revive militancy in Punjab,” MHA said.