Sikh radicalisation tops agenda for Indo-UK counter terrorism joint working group meeting

NEW DELHI: Contrary to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s soft stance towards Sikh terrorists, the Centre will be coming down hard at Sikh radicalisation in the UK during a meeting in London scheduled next week

The issue of Sikh radicalisation activities in the UK will be top on the agenda of an Indian team headed to London for an Indo-UK Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group meeting on January 15-16, a senior government official has told ET.

UK has long been seen as a refuge for wanted Sikh terrorists and India is concerned with the rising radicalization of Sikh community in England. India has evidence to show that certain UK-based operatives of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) have been transferring money to BKI sleeper cells in Punjab meant for jailed terrorists and their families in a bid to revive terrorism in Punjab, an official said

The BKI fronts have also been active on the internet, urging Sikhs abroad to donate money for the cause and India wants UK to arrest and extradite certain identified BKI operatives in the UK whose names have been handed over earlier. The spread of Sikh extremism in the UK was also exposed after the attack on Lt Gen (Retd) KS Brar, who was stabbed in London by alleged Khalistan sympathisers on September 30, 2012, who were later arrested by the UK Police.

Badal, in a letter to Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat last month, had sought the premature release of 13 convicted terrorists, including those responsible for the killing of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said he would speak to Badal regarding the letter.