India is considering the cancellation of the Overseas Citizenship of India cards for more than a dozen individuals engaged in pro-Khalistani activities as authorities have instructed several agencies to locate the properties linked to such individuals abroad, local media reports said citing sources. This is being done to intensify the crackdown on Khalistani elements and prevent people affiliated with such banned outfits and organisations from entering India.
Additionally, reports added that the Indian authorities have identified nineteen absconding Khalistani terrorists who are currently living in countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, UAE, Pakistan, and others to name a few. The government is trying and intending to confiscate their assets and properties under Section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
Previously, authorities and security agencies had identified a group of eleven individuals believed to be a mix of gangsters and terrorists residing in Canada, the USA, and Pakistan and as per reports, eight of them are suspected of operating from Canada.
People Arrested
The nineteen people are: Lakhbir Singh Rode, and Jatinder Singh Grewal, both are from Canada. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, Kulwant Singh Muthada, Sukhpal Singh, Sarabjeet Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and Dupiinder Singh are all based in the UK.
Harpreet Singh, Harjhap Singh, Amardeep Singh, and Himmat Singh are all from the United States of America. Vadhva Singh and Ranjeet Singh are based in Pakistan. Jasmeet Singh Hakeemzada is from the UAE and Gurjant Singh Dhillon is from Australia.
Significance of the OCI
People holding the OCI are exempt from having to register with the Foreign Regional Registration Office and they cannot hold public office, vote in Indian elections, or buy (purchase) agricultural land.
The central government can cancel the OCI registration if the overseas citizen of India has shown disaffection towards the Indian constitution and if it is necessary, to do so in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity, security, and friendly relations of India with any foreign country or in the interests of the general public.
Indian Government Action
The government’s actions are aimed at preventing Khalistani radicals from influencing and radicalizing youth to join the movement in India. This move comes in the wake of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confiscation of the properties belonging to the Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in Chandigarh and Amritsar.
It is worth noting that Pannun is a designated individual terrorist who is based in Canada and involved in pro-Khalistani activities against India. He has also threatened to shut down Indian consulates in Canada. The report says that by tightening the noose on OCI the government hopes to disrupt the financial support network for these individuals in India and prevent their return here from abroad.
The NIA investigation in the Pannun case reportedly revealed that his organisation, Sikhs for Justice was also exploiting cyber-space to radicalise volatile, vulnerable, and susceptible individuals and to incite them into terrorist activities, as per the report.
In the year 2019, India officially designated the “Sikhs For Justice” as a banned and unlawful association. As per the NIA probe, Pannun has been actively encouraging gangsters based in Punjab along with the youth via social media to support the cause for Khalistan, a distinct and separate homeland for Sikhs. As per NIA, this has posed a serious challenge to Indian sovereignty, integrity, and security.
India has been actively cracking down on Khalistani elements and activities within its borders to safeguard national security. The actions by the government have been demonstrating the commitment to address the Khalistani issue also come in the backdrop of the strained relationship between India and Canada after the comments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the potential involvement of the agents of the Indian government in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, 2023, in British Columbia.
