National

Security Beefed After Pro-Khalistan Group Announces March On Independence Day In Chandigarh

The pro-Khalistan group Quami Insaaf Morcha (KIM) has announced that its members will march towards Chandigarh August 15 to demand the release of Sikh prisoners.

Advertisement

Action time: Punjab Police personnel at Hoshiar Nagar village where two suspected killers of Moosewa
info_icon

The security has been beefed up after pro-Khalistan group announced a march towards Chandigarh on Independence Day.

The Quami Insaaf Morcha (KIM) has announced that its members will march towards Chandigarh August 15 to demand the release of Sikh prisoners who have already served their prison sentences, the reports said.

Following the announcement, the Chandigarh and Mohali police reinforced security measures along the Chandigarh-Mohali border, specifically at Sector 52-53 light point, where protesters have blocked a section of the road, the reports added.

The reports added that the decision to increase security is aimed at preventing any untoward incidents and maintaining law and order in the area.

Advertisement

Earlier this year, in February, clashes broke out between protesters seeking the release of Sikh prisoners and police personnel. 

In the incident over 33 police personnel were injured and dozens of police vehicles were damaged in the incident that took place near the Chandigarh-Mohali border.

The members of the group have been staging a protest for several months, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh's assassination, and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, a 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict.

Meanwhile, on Sunday the temple in Canada was vandalised allegedly by Khalistani sympathisers.

Advertisement

The reports said the incident has triggered a wave of anguish among the Indian community in the country.

The reports stated "anti-India" posters were put up on the walls and the gate of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, in Surrey - one of the oldest temples in British Columbia.

As per reports, the posters called for Canada to investigate India's "role" in the death of Khalistani sympathiser Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18.

Designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who headed pro-Khalistan outfits Khalistan Tiger Force and the Canadian arm of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), was shot dead by unknown attackers in June this year.

This was the fourth incident of temple vandalisation in Canada country this year. 

In April this year, Swaminarayan temple was vandalised in Ontario.In February, the Ram Mandir in Canada's Mississauga was vandalised, and in January a temple in Brampton was defaced with anti-India graffiti, it said.

The report said India has expressed concern over escalating activities by Khalistan supporters in Canada. 

The Centre has clamped down on organisations and individuals trying to stoke separatist sentiment in different countries.

Advertisement