Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday received a threat in the form of a purported audio clip from a banned Khalistani outfit. The audio clip being circulated was sent to some journalists, PTI reported, in which Sikh for Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu – who is also a designated terrorist – was reportedly heard threatening Sarma.
The speaker accused the Himanta Sarma-led government of “harassing and torturing” pro-Khalistan Sikhs in Assam.
“Listen carefully CM Sarma, the fight is between pro-Khalistan Sikhs and Indian regime… Sarma, if your government is going to torture and harass Sikhs, you will be held accountable," said the speaker, who claimed to be the General Counsel of Sikhs for Justice, as reported by NDTV.
The speaker said they were seeking the “liberation of Punjab” from Indian occupation through a “peaceful democratic process”, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Assam's Director-General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Pratap Singh said that the threat to the chief minister was being taken very seriously.
"A case under appropriate sections of IPC and UAPA was registered at the STF police station," the DGP tweeted.
Besides, the security of the chief minister has been adequately sensitised to the emerging threat, he added.
"Given global events, the threat is being taken very seriously by the Assam Police. The central agencies have been kept in the loop on the issue," Singh said.
Altogether eight associates of pro-Khalistan radical preacher Amritpal Singh are presently lodged at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam.
A multi-tier security arrangement has been made at the jail since March 19, when four members of the Waris Punjab De (WPD) were taken there in the first batch.
(With PTI inputs)
