NIA team leaves for London to probe ‘violent’ pro-Khalistan protest outside High Commission

India conveyed its concerns on the misuse of the UK’s asylum status by pro-Khalistan elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India at the fifth India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue (HAD) held in Delhi on April 12. The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and the UK delegation by Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Matthew Rycroft. The meeting was attended by many senior officials of both the countries.

A source in the intelligence agency said a meeting was held on Monday between the intelligence agency officials of the UK, senior officials of R&AW and NIA to discuss the anti-India activities in the UK, including Pro-Khalistan extremism. “Following the India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue last month, intelligence agency officials of the UK and India decided to meet and discuss the pro-Khalistan elements. The R&AW officials raised several issues, including increasing monitoring of UK-based pro-Khalistan extremists. They also discussed the breach of security of the Indian High Commission and also about Avtar Singh, alias Khanda,” a source said.

Last month, the Union Home Ministry had directed the NIA to file a fresh case in connection with the attack and directed Delhi Police, which had registered an FIR under UAPA, to hand over the probe to NIA.

An officer said the decision was taken after preliminary investigation pointed to a terror link involving Pakistan’s ISI. “On Tuesday, an NIA team left for London. The team will seize CCTV footage and examine the crime scene. They will also meet senior officials to record their statement,” a source said.

In the FIR registered with Delhi Police, complainant Kiran Kumar Vasant Bhosale, assistant personnel and welfare officer at the High Commission, had alleged that on March 19 afternoon, when he was going through the “routine security check”, he saw a crowd of about 50 to 60 protesters in front of the building. “They were carrying yellow flags used by Khalistani separatists. I immediately informed the Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) through an SOS call about the emerging situation,” Bhosale stated in the FIR.

“I saw one Avtar Singh, alias Khanda, and one Gurcharan Singh… (both) frequently seen near the High Commission. They were among the leaders of the violent mob and were instigating it by shouting anti-India and pro-Khalistan slogans,” Bhosale alleged. A video of the incident shows one protester climbing the High Commission’s balcony and bringing down the Tricolour.