In Guwahati, Chief Executive Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam casually dismissed an asserted intimidation posed by a pro-Khalistani luminary. This individual insisted that members of the resolute faction ‘Waris Punjab De’ (WPD), led by Amritpal Singh, should be relocated from the Central Jail in Dibrugarh to Amritsar.
“Why harbor apprehensions about Khalistanis as a formidable menace? The menace was directed towards me, yet your trepidation seemed disproportionately heightened,” remarked CM Sarma, addressing the press. The purported threat reached journalists via recorded communiques from someone purporting to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the spearhead of the proscribed group known as “Sikhs for Justice.”
The communication cautioned Sarma of impending “ramifications” unless he mandates the transfer of Amritpal Singh and cohorts to Amritsar Jail from Dibrugarh. It additionally declared that “Sikhs for Justice” is preparing a case against India to be presented before the UN.
Ten members affiliated with the pro-Khalistani faction, including Amritpal and one of his paternal uncles, were apprehended in diverse regions of Punjab. This transpired as part of a sweeping crackdown on the group, and subsequently, they found themselves incarcerated in Dibrugarh Central Jail under the National Security Act (NSA) since March the preceding year. Last April, the Assam Chief Minister faced analogous threats from the same proscribed faction, prompting the state police to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter.