IN A surprise move, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sent notices to over a dozen of people, including a journalist, farmer leaders associated with the agitation against three farm laws and others, in connection with its probe into the Sikh For Justice (SFJ) case, officials said on Saturday. An NIA official related with the development wishing not to be named told IANS, “The NIA has sent notices to several people for examination.” The official said that they have been called as witnesses to ascertain certain details of the case.

 

When asked who had been called besides the journalist, the official said, “I cannot specifically say about the profession of the individuals who have been called for examination.” The official said that the agency had called a number of people as witnesses for investigation. “They have been called to be examined to ascertain certain details for the investigation,” the official added. The NIA has also summoned Baldev Singh, the president of Lok Bhalai Insaf Welfare Society (LBIWS), one of the unions participating in talks with the Government over the new farm laws.

 

According to the NIA summons, Singh has been asked to appear before the anti-terror probe agency on January 17 at its headquarters located in south Delhi’s CGO Complex. Besides Singh, Surender Singh Thikriwal, Palwinder Singh, Pardeep Singh, Nobeljit Singh and Karnail Singh have also been summoned to appear before the agency on January 17 and 18 .

 

The NIA had registered a case on December 15 last year after a notification from the Government under several sections of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA. In the FIR, which has been viewed by IANS, the NIA alleged that SFJ, an unlawful association and other Khalistani terrorist outfits including but not limited to Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force and Khalistan Zindabad Force along with their frontal organisations have entered into a conspiracy to create an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness and to cause disaffection in people and to incite them towards rising in rebellion against the Government. The FIR also said that huge funds are being collected abroad for on-ground campaign and propaganda against missions in countries like US, UK, Canada Germany and so forth. These campaigns are being spearheaded by designated terrorists Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Paramjit Singh Pamma, Hardeep Singh Nijjar and others.