After learning that a pro-Khalistan leader had reportedly threatened Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in an audio message, Assam Police immediately notified all Superintendents of Police (SP) in every district and the Commissioner of Police in Guwahati, news agency ANI reported.
Hiren Nath, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Special Branch, stated that Assam Police is confirming the validity of the audio tape with the federal agencies.
"But we have alerted all districts Superintendents of Police and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati. We are now verifying this," Hiren Nath was quoted by ANI in its report.
"We received an audio clip today in which a man posing as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was threatening CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. He alleged that the Sikh community in Assam is being harassed and treated unfairly. We have registered a case," Assam DGP was quoted by ANI on its official Twitter handle.
"The audio clip seems to be of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun by preliminary estimation. This will be confirmed after the investigation report. CM's security arrangements have been further beefed up. Further investigation is on," he further stated.
In the claimed audio clip, the pro-Khalistani commander is reported to have said: "This message is for Assam CM Himanta Sarma. Your government is harassing and torturing pro-Khalistan Sikhs in Assam. And also torturing those who are in jail. Listen carefully CM Sarma, the fight is between pro-Khalistan Sikhs and Indian regime. Sarma you do not pray fall to this violence. We are seeking liberation of Punjab from Indian occupation through a peaceful democratic process of Khalistan referendum. Sarma, if your government is going to torture and harass Sikhs, you will be held accountable."
The speaker identified himself as Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of the outlawed group Sikh for Justice in the audio tape (SFJ). Incidentally, Amritpal Singh, the leader of Waris Punjab De, has been evading capture since March 18, when Punjab Police began a huge manhunt for him.
Over three weeks had passed since Amritpal's followers attacked the Ajnala police station in Amritsar and demanded the release of Lovepreet Toofan, one of his close associates.
Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan leader, appeared in a new video earlier on Thursday and declared that he was not "a fugitive" and that he would soon "emerge in front of the world."
The radical preacher who is being sought by the police published an unconfirmed video the day before this latest one, urging the "Sikh sangat" to unite in order to "rescue" Punjab.
(With Inputs From ANI)