Intelligence agencies are keeping a hawk's eye on the ceremonies being planned in Punjab for pro-Khalistani “declared terrorist” Lakhbir Singh Rode who died in Pakistan on Monday night. Rode's family and supporters plan to have a prayer ceremony in Amritsar on December 14 followed by a gathering in his memory in Rode village on December 16.
Both carry huge significance. The former can have religious overtones while the latter holds strong significance among radicals as Rode village is the birthplace of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Lakhbir Rode is the nephew of Bhindranwale.
The intelligence agencies are expecting a turn out of around 250-300 people at these gatherings which can be a breeding ground for extremist sentiments. Security forces will keep a close watch to prevent any law and order problems or extremist outpourings that can fuel unrest in the state.
Sources told THE WEEK that Rode got an elaborate farewell in Pakistan where his last rites were held and attended by the proscribed members of International Sikh Youth Federation and Khalistan Liberation Force as well as ISI operatives who allowed Rode a free run all these years.
Rode's son, Bhagat Singh Brar, could not fly in from Canada to Pakistan for the cremation, but sources said he is tipped to take over the ISYF after his father's demise. Bhagat Singh was on the radar of intelligence agencies and put on the no-fly list once. However, his activities largely remained outside the country, especially in Canada where a significant number of pro-Khalistani operatives have been taking shelter. Many of them have been using fake passports and identities to travel around the globe, from Pakistan to Germany, evading the Indian law enforcement agencies.
Given the tight watch on Canada-based pro-Khalistani operatives who have been trying to fuel tensions in Punjab, some of Rode’s family members won't be able to visit Punjab, sources said. His cousin Jaswant Rode, who is in Dubai and has been found to have lent support to arrested pro-Khalistani operative Amritpal Singh during his stay in Dubai, is also unlikely to set foot in India.
At the same time, the trend of wanted terror accused like Rode having ceremonies within the state is a matter of concern for security agencies. Similar funerals being held in Kashmir for wanted militants had become fertile recruitment grounds for terrorists.
Extremism in Punjab may be of a different kind. But the concerns around radicalisation are largely devoid of the nature of the land, its allegiance or history. Security officials said with similar activities being planned in the hinterland, the outcomes can be disturbing especially when there is a push from pro-Khalistan lobbies outside the country to recruit foot soldiers and disturb the peace in Punjab. The state had already seen bouts of violence and extremism early this year.
Rode's supporters will be watched by many, including Pakistan-based handlers who concluded his last rites.
