Khalistani slogans on the walls of Dharamshala: Security agencies on tenterhooks before World cup matches
Shimla, Oct 5,
State and Central security agencies are on a tender hook after defacing of Dharmshala walls with spray paint by some alleged supporters of Khalistan outfits.
SSP Kangra Shalini Agnihotri told news agency on Tuesday that the police have registered a case in this regard and started investigation. She said that the investigation team has been constituted and probe has started.
According to the information, some Khalistani supporters wrote slogan of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ with black spray paint on the wall of the office of Jal Shakti Department.
A local person informed the police about this slogan written on the wall. After information from the local person, ASP Veer Bahadur and ASP Hitesh Lakhanpal and team of police station Dharamshala reached the spot.
The slogan written on the wall was erased in the presence of both the officers. SSP said that police has started scanning the CCTV cameras installed in the departments.
It may be mentioned that earlier too, some Khalistan supporters had written slogans in support of Khalistan on the wall of the assembly complex located at Tapovan and had put up a flag there.Taking action on that, the police has also detained some people.
Khalistani leader Pannu circulated a video with these slogans written on walls at Dharàmshala putting authorities on their toes.
Now, before Dharamshala has to host five ICC World Cup matches, again such action has forced even the security agencies to think about these activities and to be on the alert mode.
According to statment by DGP Sanjay Kundu informed that in the intervening night of 03.10.2023, a graffiti was found near the IPH Circle Office, Dharamshala. The slogan “Khalistan Zandabad” was written on the wall with black paint. In this regard, a case FIR No 230/23 dated 04-10-2023 u/s 03 of the Himachal Pradesh Open Place (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act-1985 and Section 03 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984 has been registered in Police Station Dharamshala, District Kangra.
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After checking the CCTV footages from around the spot, two suspects have been identified. It is observed that the suspects after writing the slogan clicked photographs of the same. Their cell phone analysis is also being conducted. Further, a video is being circulated in social media wherein a voice message, reportedly of SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, claiming to target the final match of the ongoing One Day International World Cup-2023 is in circulation.
There is reference about “Himachal Pradesh Banega Khalistan” and pro Khalistan graffiti and flags in Dharamshala have also been made to avenge killing of “Nijjer” in Canada.
On 03.10.2023, a joint intelligence sharing meeting was also conducted at Dharamshala with officers from Military Intelligence, IB and CID units for coordination and swift intelligence sharing during the upcoming World Cup matches.
In view of the present incident, additional patrolling teams and local intelligence units have been activated in Dharamshala and Mcleodganj areas.
Intensified vigil and surveillance shall be maintained throughout the district. All possible efforts are being made to nab the culprits in the matter and investigate the case.
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