India extends ban on Pannun’s ‘Sikhs For Justice’ Khalistani group by five years
Pannun
India on Tuesday (Jul 9) extended the ban on the Khalistani group 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) by another five years. The decision came after an investigation by the country's anti-terror National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed new findings. The SFJ is a US-based group that is managed by Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is a designated terrorist under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) since July 1, 2020.
Earlier, India's Home Ministry imposed a ban on SFJ in 2019 for five years under the UAPA for separatist activities.
“In the garb of the so-called referendum for Sikhs, SFJ is actually espousing secessionism and militant ideology in Punjab, while operating from safe havens on foreign soils and actively supported by inimical forces in other countries,” a 2019 notification by the ministry read.
NIA's fresh cases against SFJ
Now, the NIA has registered fresh cases against both Pannun and the SFJ. Last year, Pannun's properties in India were confiscated as well.
The Indian government issued a fresh notification on Tuesday which said the group continues to engage in "the activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country and is involved in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab and elsewhere, intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India."
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"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby extends the declaration of the Sikhs For Justice as an unlawful association and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a further period of five years from 10th day of July, 2024," it said.
More about SFJ
The anti-India, pro-Khalistani organisation was founded in 2007 by Pannun.
The group seeks to achieve “self-determination for the Sikh people in their historic homeland” in “Indian held Punjab”, and “establish a sovereign state, popularly known as Khalistan,” according to the group's website.
(With inputs from agencies)