SATP – SOUTH ASIA

Government designates nine persons as terrorists for trying to revive militancy in Punjab: Government declared nine persons including Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the US-based legal adviser of the banned pro-Khalistan organisation, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their involvement in acts of terror and pushing Khalistan movement on July 1. The other individuals include – Wadhawa Singh Babbar, Lakhbir Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Paramjit Singh, Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, Gurmeet Singh Bagga, Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh. The SFJ is the brain behind the “Khalistan 2020 referendum” and Pannu has been seen actively running a campaign against India and motivating Sikh youth from Punjab to join militancy. The Tribune, July 2, 2020.

Government blocks access to 40 websites run by SFJ in India:The Central Government on July 5 said that it has blocked nearly 40 websites that were being run and operated by the US-based pro-Khalistan outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), which has been declared as an “unlawful organisation” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The spokesperson of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) said the action has been taken following the banned outfit launched a campaign for registering supporters for its cause – ‘referendum 2020’. The Tribune, July 6, 2020.