A bid to revive the Khalistan movement in Punjab has grabbed the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. The matter was brought to their notice by Punjab Congress leaders a few days ago. Sources in the Prime Minister’s Office said Singh discussed the matter with national security advisor M.K. Narayanan and the director general of police, Punjab. Singh also advised the police chief to nip
the movement in the bud. Blatant attempts to revive the separatist movement were noticed on the eve of parliamentary elections in May. Posters of slain separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were seen in many places and pro-Khalistan propaganda became more pronounced. A huge cache of arms was also seized from Ludhiana.

“Those who were born around the Nineties have no memory of the bloody days of terrorism. But they are brainwashed and indoctrinated,” said a Congressman from Punjab. The Punjab Pradesh Congress (PCC) was told to convene a meeting of senior party leaders to discuss ways to address the problem. Party sources said it would be difficult for the criminals to revive militancy in the state without the connivance of outside agencies. Some suspected the involvement of Pakistan’s ISI and the Taliban. Former Punjab Police chief KPS Gill, who played a key role in stamping out terrorism from Punjab, had recently acknowledged a definite attempt to revive terrorism in the state. “The ISI has been acting as vital link between certain Jihadi groups and the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI),” he reportedly told journalists. In August, at least three incidents, including a shootout involving a Babbar Khalsa activist, were reported. The state police also blamed militants for the recent killings of Rulda Singh of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS) and Lily Kumar of Mansa, a follower of the Dera Sacha Sauda. Police sources said Babbar Khalsa may have supplied arms for the killings.