NIA takes over six cases with ‘Khalistan link’

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today took over six cases in Punjab related to terror groups allegedly having links with the Khalistani movement.

Four of the cases are registered in Ludhiana and two in Khanna. The NIA, in a statement, said its teams have already reached Ludhiana and Khanna to take over the investigation. So far, the Punjab Police were handling the cases.

One of the cases pertains to firing at an RSS “shakha” in Kidwai Nagar, Ludhiana, by two motorcycle-borne youths on January 18, 2016.

Another case relates to the murder attempt of Punjab Shiv Sena youth wing president Amit Arora in Ludhiana on February 3, 2016. Arora, a hosiery unit owner, was at Basti Jodhewal Chowk in his car waiting for someone when the two motorcycle-borne men fired at him and fled. He was rushed to a local hospital and survived the attack.

Another case relates to the killing of Shiv Sena leader Durga Dass Gupta in Khanna on April 23, 2016. The NIA has also taken over cases of killings of Amit Sharma, publicity manager of Sri Hindu Takht, and two followers of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda.

Amit was killed in Ludhiana this January, while the dera followers were killed the next month.

The Central agency will also investigate the killing of the pastor of a local church, Sultan Masih, who was shot dead by two assailants in Ludhiana in July this year.

Earlier, in view of the possible national and international ramifications of the conspiracy behind targeted killings, the Punjab Government had decided to hand over the investigation of seven cases to the NIA. The government has maintained that the modus operandi in all cases was the same. The decision to transfer the cases was taken after an NIA team, led by its Director YC Modi, held discussions with officials of the Punjab Police earlier this month.