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India: A group called the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) and names of the members of the executive committee of the AIATF

The leader of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) is Maninderjit Singh Bitta (Tribune India 5 Apr. 2004; ibid. 27 Dec. 2003; ibid. 9 Jan. 2002; Economic Times 24 Feb. 2003; Asia Pacific Post 11 Apr. 2002).

The AIATF is described as "an anti-terrorist group" (Asia Pacific Post. 11 Apr. 2002). It has been involved in several public events such as demonstrations (Frontline 22 Nov. - 5 Dec. 2003; Economic Times 9 Aug. 2003) and protests (Tribune India 25 Mar. 2003). In December 2003, the organization publicly opposed resuming service on the Samjhauta Express, a regular train that runs between India and Pakistan, until Pakistan agreed to turn over its "terrorist" suspects to India as demanded by the Indian government (Tribune India 27 Dec. 2003).

Maninderjit Singh Bitta has been described as "India's top anti-terror crusader" (Asia Pacific Post. 11 Apr. 2002) and as "a tireless campaigner against terrorist atrocities everywhere" (Frontline 22 Nov. - 5 Dec. 2003).

The Economic Times named Mohinder Singh Sidhu as the general secretary of the AIATF (9 Aug. 2003). Anil Sharma is the district president of the AIATF (Tribune India 25 Mar. 2003; Times of India 28 May 2003) and Nisha Sharma is the Secretary-General of the women's wing of the AIATF (Tribune India 7 June 2003). No information on other members of the executive committee of the AIATF was found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Asia Pacific Post [Vancouver]. 11 April 2002. "Terrorist Hunter Gets Death Threat from Canada." <http://www.asianpacificpost.com/news/article/3.html> [Accessed 7 June 2004]

Economic Times [India]. 9 August 2003. "AIATF Activists Burn Coke Cut-out in Amritsar."

_____. 24 Feb. 2003. "Canada-based Reporter Planned Attack: Bitta."

Frontline. 22 November - 5 December 2003. Vol. 20, Issue 24. Praveen Swami. "United in Struggle." <http://www.flonnet.com/fl2024/stories/20031205005412800.htm> [Accessed 7 June 2004]

Times of India. [Ludhiana]. 28 May 2003. Raju William. "Ludhiana DCC President Accused of Favouritism."

Tribune India. [Mandi]. 5 April 2004. "Remove Sibal, Bitta asks Sonia." <http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040406/election.htm#3>. [Accessed 8 June 2004]

_____. [Amritsar]. 27 December 2003. "Resumption of Samjhauta Express Opposed." <http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031228/punjab1.htm#9> [Accessed 7 June 2004]

_____. [New Delhi]. 7 June 2003. "Nisha is Secy-Gen of AIATF Cell." <http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030608/nation.htm#6> [Accessed 9 June 2004]

_____. [Ludhiana]. 25 March 2003. "Protests Against J&K Massacre." <http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030326/ldh1.htm#2> [Accessed 7 June 2004]

_____. [Ludhiana]. 9 January 2002. "Bitta for Stringent Law to Deal with Terrorism." <http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020110/ldh1.htm#6> [Accessed 7 June 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted

Media and Internet sources: Hindu Business Line, Hindustan Times, Outlook India.com, The Day After India.