142 wanted terrorists removed from India's 'blacklist'

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) In a significant decision, the
Indian government has removed from its 'blacklist' the names
of 142 wanted terrorists and their associates, including the
heads of various Sikh extremist groups.
The wanted persons whose names have been deleted are
believed to be currently based in countries like Pakistan, the
US, Canada, Norway, France and Germany, and the government's
step will enable them to move freely around the world and even
return home.
The names have been deleted in two phases after a review
of 169 cases in consultation with the Punjab Government and
security agencies. While 25 names were deleted in August last
year, 117 names were deleted last month, according to the Home
Ministry.
Among those removed from the blacklist by the Union Home
Ministry are Lakhbir Singh Rode, nephew of dreaded slain
terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and chief of
International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
The list also includes names like Ranjit Singh alias
Neeta, a native of Jammu and Kashmir who heads Khalistan
Zindabad Force, Wadhawa Singh, chief of Babbar Khalsa
International (BKI) and Paramjit Singh Panjwar, chief of
Khalistan Commando Force (KCF).
Ripudaman Singh Malik, an activist of Babbar Khalsa who
is currently based in British Columbia, was accused of having
assisted in funding the 1985 Kanishka plane bombing.
The Home Ministry decision follows the Delhi High Court
order to it on February 9 to take a decision on a petition
that pleaded that the list of 169 Sikhs should be reviewed as
it has led to "unnecessary harassment" to various individuals
at different airports and embassies across the world due to
non-renewal of their passports by the Indian government.
Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC)
President Paramjit Singh Sarna has welcomed the decision.
He expressed gratitude to Congress President Sonia
Gandhi for the development which he said had "raised a silver
line in the hearts of numerous other blacklisted NRI Sikhs"
that with his efforts their names would also be deleted soon.