Three held in Bathinda for writing Khalistan slogans

Counter-Intelligence Bathinda, in a joint operation with Bathinda police, apprehended three operatives of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for writing pro-Khalistan slogans on the walls of schools in Bhissiana and Mananwala villages, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Friday.

Those arrested have been identified as Navjot Singh alias Jota (24) and Gurpreet Singh (26), both residents of Kaliaewala village in Ferozepur; and Harjinder Singh, a resident of Mananwala in Bathinda. The police have also seized four mobile phones and one dongle device from their possession.

As per the information available, pro-Khalistan slogans were found written on the walls of two schools— a school at Mananwala village on the intervening night of October 19 and 20 and PM Kendri Vidyalaya at Bhissiana village on the intervening night of October 26 and 27.

DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused painted inflammatory slogans aimed at inciting public unrest and promoting anti-national sentiments. Evidence indicates they were receiving foreign funding for these unlawful activities, he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Bathinda, Amneet Kondal said that following technical leads, the police managed to apprehend Navjot and Gurpreet, who are the main accused in writing slogan at the PM Kendri Vidyalaya at Bhissiana village.

She said that following further investigation, police teams of Counter Intelligence Bathinda also arrested Harjinder, who wrote slogans at the wall of a school at Mananwala village.

The SSP said that during questioning, the arrested persons revealed that they had written the slogans on the directions of foreign-based Pawanpreet Singh alias Deep Chahal, an aide of Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, in lieu of money.

AIG CI Bathinda Avneet Kaur Sidhu said that Harjinder has revealed that Navjot had introduced him to Pawanpreet, who directed him to write the slogan for which he was paid Rs 2,000.