NIA quizzes dozens linked to farm stir

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) by Monday has examined at its headquarters about a dozen people associated with the ongoing farmers’ protests in connection with a case related to alleged funding of Khalistanis for antiindia activities being spearheaded by banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), people familiar with the development said.

Without disclosing names, NIA officials who requested anonymity said about six-seven people were examined on Monday, while others were questioned earlier. Most of the people who appeared before NIA in last few days have been examined as “witnesses”, they said.

“We have no plans to harass any activists or farm leaders. We are just seeking some clarifications regarding certain information we have,” one of the officers said.

NIA had issued summonses to over three dozen people (farm leaders, Sikh activities, journalists and even those associated with the entertainment industry in Punjab), asking them to appear before it in Delhi in connecting with its probe related to funding of Khalistanis abroad for organising on-ground campaigns and demonstrations outside Indian missions in the UK, the US, Canada, Germany and other countries. Farm leaders such as Baldev Singh Sirsa have already refused to join the NIA investigations.

The agency is particularly looking into the funding of SFJ and other Khalistani groups for organising protests both in India as well as abroad outside Indian embassies. In its summonses, seen by HT, NIA has said that the agency needs to attend the examination as “it appears they are acquainted with the circumstances of this case”.

As first reported by HT on December 23, NIA had filed a case on December 15 to investigate funding of Khalistani terrorist groups organising on-ground campaigns and demonstrations as well as role of some non-government organisations (NGOS) in it. The agency named as accused Us-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Ukbased Paramjit Singh Pamma and Canada resident Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who, under the SFJ banner, are allegedly collecting funds for these protests.