New Delhi: Khalistani flags and posters were found tied on the main gate and boundary wall of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Dharamshala today morning, according to sources. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur condemned the “cowardly act” and said the incident would be probed.
The walls were also painted with pro-Khalistan grafitti. The state police said they suspect the involvement of tourists from Punjab. The state will also audit the security along the borders with other states-Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Punjab.
#WATCH Khalistan flags found tied on the main gate & boundary wall of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Dharamshala today morning pic.twitter.com/zzYk5xKmVg
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2022
On his official Twitter account, he warned criminals to “come out in broad daylight and not in the dark of night” if they had the courage.
“There is only winter session in this assembly, so there is a need to make more security arrangements during that time,” he added.
इसी का फायदा उठाकर यह कायरतापूर्ण घटना को अंजाम दिया गया है, लेकिन हम इसे बर्दाश्त नहीं करेंगे।
इस घटना की त्वरित जांच की जाएगी और दोषियों के खिलाफ कड़ी कार्रवाई होगी।
मैं उन लोगों को कहना चाहूंगा कि यदि हिम्मत है तो रात के अंधेरे में नहीं, दिन के उजाले में सामने आएं।
— Jairam Thakur (@jairamthakurbjp) May 8, 2022
Thakur further said an inquiry had been ordered and an FIR registered in the incident. “CCTV footage is being analysed. We will take strict action against the culprits. I urge the people of the state to maintain peace. We will soon review security at our borders with other states,” he further added.
According to sources, the Himachal government has flagged increasing cases related to terrorism modules and has increased vigilance and security in view of it.
SDM Dharamshala Shilpi Beakta while taking to sources said, “We are inquiring about the matter and a case will be registered under relevant sections of the Himachal Pradesh Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1985. This is like a wake-up call for us to work with more alertness”.
According to Kangra police, Khushal Sharma, the incident might have happened late at night or early morning today.
Further he added, “We have removed the Khalistan flags from the Vidhan Sabha gate. It could be an act of some tourists from Punjab. We are going to register a case today.”