NIA summons two journalists, farmer leaders for questioning

In an alleged  bid to crush the ongoing farmers’ protest, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sent notices to over a dozen people, including two journalists and farmer leaders on Saturday.

The agency, which was set up to probe matters related to terrorism, said that they have been summoned for the injury into the Sikh For Justice (SFJ) case.

The officials said that the farm leaders and the journalists have been called as witnesses to ascertain certain details of the case.

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, 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 campaigns and propaganda against missions in countries like US, UK, Canada Germany and so forth, reported the news agency IANS.

Reacting to the development, farmer leader Dr Darshan Pal Singh said that the government is targeting those who helped the farm agitation. Hitting out at the government he said that the government is nervous.

“We register our protest against such oppressive steps taken by the government,” said Dr Pal.