Amritsar: Two Arrested Over Pro-Khalistan Slogans with Alleged US Links
Amritsar police arrested two men for pro-Khalistan slogans with alleged links to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and US-based contacts.
The Amritsar Police have apprehended two individuals during the night between September 25 and 26 for their alleged involvement in promoting pro-Khalistan slogans. The arrests follow the discovery of "Referendum 2020" graffiti at Hall Road and Bhandari Bridge. According to officials, the investigation moved swiftly, with the suspects being traced and taken into custody within just five hours of the incident.
The Arrests and Evidence Recovered
The accused have been identified as Arshdeep and Manoj. During the operation, law enforcement officials seized their mobile phones, which reportedly contain digital evidence linked to the crime. This includes the mobile device allegedly used to record and circulate a video of the slogans on social media. Police stated that the suspects were instructed to document their actions via video as proof of completion.
Alleged Connections to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
The investigation has uncovered significant international links. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jaskaran Singh Teja revealed that three other individuals have been named in the case. This group includes two persons based in the United States—one of whom is a Caucasian male, and another allegedly linked to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Pannun was designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry in 2020.
Detailed findings from the probe suggest a digital trail involving social media platforms:
- Arshdeep allegedly used Snapchat to contact a US-based individual.
- This contact subsequently facilitated a connection with Pannun.
- The suspects were reportedly motivated by promises of financial gain and opportunities to migrate abroad.
The Motive: Disrupting National Integrity
DCP Teja emphasized that the primary objective behind the slogans and graffiti was to undermine the unity and integrity of India. The police believe the act was a calculated attempt to send a message to international figures, specifically the Governor of America and the US Ambassador, falsely suggesting that India is not India but Khalistan.
"Those kids didn’t get any money, nor will they get the chance to go abroad. They’ve been trapped in this crime and will have to suffer the pain of serving a sentence," Teja remarked, noting that the suspects were lured by empty promises of money and foreign travel.
The police have clarified that the suspects were promised payment once they sent video proof of the slogans, a tactic used to ensure the message reached their overseas handlers. The investigation remains ongoing to track the remaining named individuals.