London: After a number of Sikhs living in the UK alleged that they were being ‘targeted by or on behalf of the Indian government’, the UK Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis, reportedly stated that no attempts by ‘foreign countries’ to intimidate or harass British citizens would be accepted.
Sikh organisations in Canada and the US, which are often linked to Khalistani outfits, or support their cause, have also raised allegations of attack. But the Indian government has junked such claims in the past.
Jarvis wrote to the Sikh Federation, an organisation with Khalistani affiliations, and assured them of protection, reported the India Today. This came at a time Sikhs were allegedly being questioned at UK airports by officials linked to the Indian government, according to a report by The Guardian.
“We do not tolerate intimidation or threats to life, and through our intelligence agencies and police forces will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to keep people safe. Any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated,” read the letter from Jarvis. The letter was dated December 10. The Guardian had reported about the letter on December 19.
Jarvis urges India to cooperate with the Canada govt in Nijjar probe
Jarvis has also urged India to cooperate with the Canadian government regarding the probe into the killing of Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. “We take the findings from the Canadian investigations very seriously and the UK has full confidence in Canada’s judicial system. All countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law, and we encourage all involved parties, including the government of India, to cooperate with the legal process,” Jarvis mentioned in the letter.
UK encouraged Khalistan extremists: Former Indian diplomat
India’s former foreign secretary and career diplomat Kanwal Sibal reportedly called out Jarvis. Sibal claimed that it was in line with the UK’s usual practice of harbouring Khalistani terrorists.
“UK authorities have in fact long encouraged Khalistani extremists as well as ISI operatives in the UK to threaten India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security,” Sibal told the India Today.
