NIA, Punjab Police bust modules of ‘Sikhs for Justice’ for subversive activities

In a spate of continuing crackdowns against terror, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Punjab Police, on Wednesday busted several modules of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), for indulging in “various subversive activities in Punjab.”

The Union home ministry on Tuesday stated that probe had revealed that the group’s activists had been radicalized and funded by foreign based SFJ handlers -- Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Harmeet Singh, Paramjit Singh Pamma.

“NIA and Punjab Police have registered 11 cases against SFJ. Their visibility online is disproportionate to actual number of members. Physically their presence is nominal, their activity is anti-India. We have zero tolerance towards terrorism,” the MHA said on Wednesday.

The ministry added that the SFJ “espouses militant activity in Punjab from safe havens abroad. We have sent a strong warning to fringe groups advocating secessionist activities. Its major presence is on social media and wants to radicalise people in order to revive militancy.”

The Centre took the decision to label Siks for Justice (SFJ) an unlawful association in consultation with state governments, including Punjab. Major Sikh bodies had also raised an alarm over secessionist activities of the SFJ.