“Defacement terrorism” in India by Khalistani separatists continues to be a flop show

In what could be a major lesson for youth, the banned terrorist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and its chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun that ropes them in for defacement terrorism promising payment as high as 1000 dollars, do not pay up as cops erase these graffitis within hours. The fact has come to fore during investigation of defacement attempts across the country where various unorganised youth groups fall for lucrative payment offers made online but get only FIR’s in return.

“The youth and their families need to be more cautious as they gain nothing out these acts. Majority of defacement activities were carried out by random youth or groups trapped online. Khalistani groups identify youth who look for them on social media or comment with anti-India sentiments. They gradually start radicalising them with their agenda and show them the “pathetic picture” of Indian Sikhs. These youths are mainly born after 1984 and they are in the grip of these pro-Khalistan gangs. They ask them to paint walls and put up flags with a promise of USD 1,000-2,000 against the video and picture they paint but never pay up saying cops removed these and they had no impact. These youth however are left with FIR’s only and a ruined future,” sources said.

It may be noted that latest defacement was reported from Delhi amidst ongoing G 20 preparations. Pro-Khalistan graffiti was painted at multiple spots and metro stations in Delhi, including Shivaji Park, Madipur, Paschim Vihar, Udyog Nagar, Maharaja Surajmal Stadium, Punjabi Bagh and Nangloi and Government Sarvodya Bal Vidyalaya, Nangloi. It however as usual a flop show as the graffiti had no impact and was removed within n hour of incident. Though police is yet to identify and nab the accused, security in the national capital has been beefed up. Apart from additional paramilitary forces, senior officers of districts have been divided into three shifts and they will be on the move in their areas to check such incidents. Special Cell of Delhi Police will probe the pro-Khalistan graffiti incident which appeared at several metro station in nation capital on Sunday.

The Delhi Police has lodged FIR under sections 153, 153A, 505 IPC and section 3 of Defacement Act.

“Seeing the gravity of the matter, Special Cell has been asked to probe the incident. SFJ activists can be behind the incident. Cell is already probing cases related to SFJ,” a police official said.

It may be noted that recently Vikramjeet Singh, alias Vikram Brar, a key aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was found to be the ‘mastermind’ of 2022 Faridkot Khalistani defacement case.

The Punjab police had in its submission to Faridkot court nominated gangster Vikram Brar, as a “mastermind” in a case related to putting up the Khalistan flag at Faridkot court complex and writing a pro-Khalistan graffiti on a wall of the official residence of district and sessions judge.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, had also released the video on social media, which was filmed by the persons who painted pro-Khalistan slogan on session judge’s residence and also installed Khalistan flag at court complex in November 2022.

The Faridkot judicial magistrate remanded Brar to police custody as police wanted to question him about his nexus and connection of the gang with Khalistani outfits especially SFJ.

Superintendent of police (SP) Jasmeet Singh said that the person who had carried out the crime had revealed that on the directions of Brar and Pannu he painted pro-Khalistan graffiti on the session judge’s house and installed the Khalistan flag at the court complex. “So now, we have named him and got his remand. Further investigation is under process,” he added.

Police had registered a case under Section 3 of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act at the Faridkot city police station.

Also read : Sikhs for Justice in Delhi government’s cross-hairs as LG sanctions prosecution against Khalistani defacers