Guwahati, April 03: The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has had his security heightened after a pro-Khalistan outfit threatened him. Assam Police are taking the threat very seriously and have been in contact with central agencies.
The pro-Khalistan group in the US, led by a designated terrorist under Indian law named Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a pre-recorded audio clip alleging torture on the Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh Sandhu’s close aides lodged in Dibrugarh jail since March 19.
The state police have started an investigation into the matter and have registered a case with the special task force police station. The police have also briefed the security cover of the CM about the threat. The DGP of Assam, G P Singh, said that the police will be taking all lawful action under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
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In the audio clip, the pro-Khalistani leader alleged that the Assam government was harassing and torturing pro-Khalistan Sikhs and those who are in jail. The leader went on to say that the fight is between pro-Khalistan Sikhs and the Indian regime and that the CM should not fall prey to this violence.
The pro-Khalistan outfit, ‘Sikh for Justice’, which Pannun is heading, was banned in 2019, and Pannun himself was declared a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on July 1, 2020. Pannun had organised the Khalistan 2020 referendum in various parts of western countries and has been seen actively running a campaign against India and motivating Sikh youngsters in his home state of Punjab to join militancy.
State Information and Public Relations Minister Pijush Hazarika stated that the CM would not compromise the sovereignty and integrity of the country just because somebody sitting in the US or somewhere else sends a threat. Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal assured that the state police were able and working on the threat, and therefore there was nothing to worry about.
The threat issued by the pro-Khalistan outfit to the Assam CM highlights the need for heightened security measures for high-profile figures.
Law enforcement agencies need to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of individuals under threat. The Indian government must also take strict actions against such outfits that promote violence and threaten the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
