GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 14th Oct. The arrest and incarceration of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi have not quelled the dangers posed by his sprawling criminal network, which stretches across multiple states and maintains strong links to terror groups. Despite being behind bars for nearly a decade, Bishnoi’s influence over the gangster-terror nexus remains substantial. His alleged role in the recent murder of Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader, highlights the alarming persistence of his operations. This incident is only the latest in a series of crimes where the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has connected Bishnoi’s network to terror activities and smuggling operations.
Bishnoi’s connection to banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has long been a point of concern for law enforcement agencies. The NIA’s ongoing investigations reveal a disturbing trend: a coordinated effort between Bishnoi’s syndicate and pro-Khalistan elements to destabilize the region. Notably, Bishnoi’s alliance with Goldy Brar, a Canada-based gangster with ties to BKI, has allowed him to extend his reach beyond India’s borders. The duo’s alleged involvement in extortion and violence, such as the RPG attack on Punjab’s State Intelligence headquarters in Mohali, has exposed the dangerous nexus between organized crime and terrorism.
The NIA’s efforts to clamp down on Bishnoi’s syndicate have been substantial, involving the filing of chargesheets, the attachment of properties in multiple states, and the arrest of key associates. However, the persistence of Bishnoi’s criminal enterprise, even from within the confines of jail, underscores the complexities of dismantling such networks. His ability to coordinate operations with incarcerated gang members and manage seamless communication channels speaks to a systemic problem in how gangsters exploit prison facilities to maintain their control over criminal activities.
A particularly concerning aspect of this network is its relentless recruitment drive. Bishnoi’s gang continues to prey on impressionable youth across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. This recruitment not only fuels their extortion rackets but also strengthens the nexus with terror outfits, making it harder to isolate and neutralize such threats. The youth drawn into these networks often become pawns, trained to carry out violent activities under the directives of gang leaders like Bishnoi and their terror associates.
The case of Bishnoi also reveals deeper challenges within India’s fight against organized crime and terror networks. The involvement of cross-border elements, such as the smuggling of arms, ammunition, and drugs from Pakistan, adds another layer of complexity to the NIA’s task. For every move made to weaken Bishnoi’s grip, his syndicate adapts, seeking new ways to maintain their operations and assert their influence over local communities.
This issue is not merely about law enforcement; it is about the systemic threats to regional stability and security. It calls for a multi-pronged approach, including community outreach programs to prevent youth recruitment, better monitoring of communication within prisons, and enhanced intelligence-sharing between states. The NIA’s work is crucial, but without coordinated efforts across law enforcement agencies and a focus on dismantling the support systems that allow syndicates like Bishnoi’s to thrive, the challenge remains significant.
The death of Baba Siddique is a tragic reminder of how deeply entrenched such networks are, capable of orchestrating violence even from within prison walls. The path forward lies in a relentless pursuit of justice, closing the loopholes that enable these syndicates, and ensuring that the long arm of the law reaches every corner of the criminal-terror nexus. Only then can we hope to curtail the influence of figures like Lawrence Bishnoi and secure a safer future for the region.
