India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) will confiscate the real estateproperties of two Sikh rebels based outside the country and designated as”terrorists” by New Delhi, an official statement said on Tuesday.
In July this year, the Indian government declared Gurpatwant Singh Pannun,reportedly a key member of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and Hardeep SinghNijjar, who is living in Canada and is allegedly associated with KhalistanTiger Force, as “designated terrorists,” along with seven otherindividuals.
Both the SFJ and Khalistan Tiger Force demand the secession ofSikh-dominated northern Punjab state under the name of Khalistan.
“Government of India in exercise of powers conferred under Section 51A ofUnlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, has ordered for attachment ofthe immovable properties of designated terrorists – Gurpatwant Singh Pannunin District Amritsar, Punjab and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in DistrictJalandhar, Punjab,” a statement by the NIA said.
The agency said it was investigating a case “relating to a concertedcampaign launched by secessionist organisation ‘Sikhs for Justice’ underthe banner of ‘Sikh Referendum 2020’ for creation of so-called ‘Khalistan’.”
The SFJ has said its Referendum 2020 campaign seeks to “liberate Punjabfrom Indian occupation.”
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The statement said Sikhs for Justice “is presently making efforts topropagate ‘Sikh Referendum-2020’ on social media. This outfit is alsotrying to hold meetings at certain places in the US and other countries toinstigate and mobilize diaspora for their illegal activities.”
Last year, the Indian government had banned the SFJ.
While Sikh secessionism in India has died down, pro-secession groups havebecome active internationally.
Last month, two suspected members of a pro-Khalistan group were arrested inDelhi on charges of raising a pro-secession banner at a government officein Punjab.
