The following information was provided by a representative and webmaster of Ramgarhiakom, "an exclusive Website for Ramgarhias" (Ramgarhiakom 1 Sept. 2004), on 21 September 2004. The representative stated that he was aware of a group called the Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Welfare Association, but had very little information on the group. He stated that the group was based in the district of Kapurthala, but its activities served all of Punjab. He believed that the current president of the association was Natha Singh Ubhi, but did not know for how long he had been president of the group. The representative did not know the name of the representative in Kapurthala nor did he know of any problems the group may have faced with police.

The Ramgarhiakom Website is dedicated to Maharaja Jassa Singh Ji Ramgarhia, the founder of the Sikh Missal (book of prayers) and "the most powerful Sikh Maharaja in Punjab" (2004a). The Website provides a list of Ramgarhia organizations working in India and abroad (2004b). While the Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Welfare Association is not listed, there is a listing for a Ramgarhia Welfare Association, which is located in the city of Barnala, Punjab, and whose contact person is Sardar N.S. Jandu (Ramgarhiakom 2004b).

Additional and/or corroborating information on the Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Welfare Association could not be 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.

Ramgarhiakom, Ludhiana, India. 21 September 2004. Telephone interview with a representative and webmaster.

_____. 1 September 2004. "Ramgarhiakom Welcomes You." http://ramgarhiakom.com [Accessed 21 Sept. 2004]

_____. 2004a. "Gems of Ramgarhia: Maharaja Jassa Singh Ji Ramgarhia." http://www.ramgarhiakom.com/gems/mjs.html [Accessed 17 Sept. 2004]

_____. 2004b. "Ramgarhia Organizations." http://www.ramgarhiakom.com/organisation/ind1.html [Accessed 21 Sept. 2004]

An editor at The Tribune and a representative of the United Sikhs in Virgina had no information on the requested subject.

Internet sources, including: Asia Times, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003, Dialog, International Religious Freedom Report 2004, Only Punjab.com, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Times of India, The Tribune, United Sikhs.