Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and DGP are being threatened by the SFJ for taking action against the perpetrators of the Patiala Clash

In a new provocation, the terrorist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) cautioned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Viresh Bhawra against acting against the Khalistan supporters accused in the Patiala riot case. In a video, SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu was heard stirring sectarian tensions by declaring that Sikhs in Patiala offered a proper response to “Hindu radicals.” He also warned Mann and Bhawra not to follow the late CM Beant Singh’s policy, saying that if they do, they will face consequences.

On August 31, 1995, Singh was assassinated by a bomb blast. Pannu also begged the police not to treat the family members of the Sikhs named in the Patiala conflict with disrespect in the video. Furthermore, he warned that SFJ would force the children of AAP leaders and police officers studying in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States to return home if the accused’s children were harassed.

Patiala squabbles

On April 29, a conflict between members of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) and supporters of Khalistan took occurred outside the Kali Mata temple in Patiala, injuring four people. Miscreants supporting the separatist cause were observed attacking Sena workers with swords and sticks, which was met with stone-pelting from both sides. The local authorities then imposed a curfew in Patiala and transferred three senior cops: SSP Nanak Singh, IGP Rakesh Agrawal, and SP Harpal Singh.

In response to criticism from the opposition over the big law and order event, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann told the media on April 30 that “this was a conflict between two political parties, not two communities.” People in Punjab live in harmony. The perpetrators of the violent incidents are being investigated. There will be no exceptions.” The District Court remanded principal accused Barjinder Singh Parwana to 4-day police custody on May 1. Parwana, a disciple of the Sikh school Damdami Taksal, has made provocative comments in the past about the UAPA and 1984 riots, and is suspected of orchestrating the April 29 incident.

SFJ’s attempt to cause a ruckus during the Punjab elections

PM Modi returned to Delhi on January 5 after a temporary security breach. He was expected to inaugurate projects worth Rs 42,750 crores and attend a joint BJP-PLC-SAD(D) rally in Ferozepur. The Prime Minister’s convoy was blocked by protestors some 30 kilometres from Hussainiwala, stranding him for 15-20 minutes on a flyover. In a pre-recorded conversation given to select lawyers, Pannu claimed responsibility for the PM’s security breach, despite the Supreme Court forming a 5-member probe committee led by former SC judge Justice Indu Malhotra.