Dozen quizzed over farm stir funding

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 19

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has so far questioned nearly a dozen persons as “witness” in connection with its investigation into a case related to proscribed organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and others, which are accused of having been supporting the ongoing farmers’ protest.

Proscribed groups’ link being probed

The anti-terror federal probe agency has registered a case against proscribed organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and a few other Khalistan separatist groups over their involvement in funding and organising protests both in India as well as near Indian Missions abroad.

The NIA has registered a case against SFJ and a few other Khalistan separatist groups for their involvement in funding and organising protests both in India as well as near Indian Missions abroad.

Serve NIA notice on Arnab, not farmers: Sunil Jakhar

• Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday criticised the central government for serving notices through the NIA to peacefully protesting farmers while letting off journalist Arnab Goswami
• “If anyone deserves to be investigated by the NIA right now it is Arnab Goswami who not only breached the Official Secrets Act but also compromised the national security by sharing classified details with others,” Jakhar said

The accused in the case, including SFJ general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, Babbar Khalsa International chief Paramjit Singh Pamma and Khalistan Tiger Force’s Hardeep Singh Nijjar, are charged with creating disaffection among the people in India against the central government by carrying out propaganda, including on the social media, and disruptive activities with funds collected from abroad being sent to pro-Khalistan outfits here through NGOs.

Sources in the agency said in the past couple of days NIA sleuths had examined nearly a dozen persons, who came here at the headquarters as witnesses in the case relating to the SFJ. Agency sources contended the NIA did not intend to harass anybody — be it independent person, activists or farm leaders — involved in the protest. “They all have been asked to come as witness and give clarifications on the information, which the agency already has,” said a senior NIA official.

The NIA has summoned nearly 40 persons as witnesses including farm leaders, Sikh activities, journalists and those engaged in the Punjabi entertainment industry.

Some of them, including farm leader Baldev Singh Sirsa, have refused to join the NIA investigations after the Samyukt Kisan Morcha decided that the protesting farmers, who have received the NIA notice, would not appear before the agency. In its notices, the NIA has said they were required to appear before the agency, as “it appears they are acquainted with the circumstances of this case”.

Meanwhile, security cover in and around the NIA headquarters has been stepped up by barricading the road facing the building and deployment of additional force. Officials in the agency said the steps had been taken as precautionary measure in view of an alleged video where Pannu is seen and heard instigating farmers.

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