Even as the Delhi Police beefed up security across the city after US-based Khalistani supporter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s threat to attack Indian parliament on or before December 13, the government on Thursday said it didn’t want to give much credence to such threats.
"We are caught in a bind here. I do not want to amplify or give too much credence to such extremists, who make threats and get a lot of coverage,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in his weekly media briefing.
Bagchi, however, was quick to add that the matter has been taken up by authorities concerned.
“We take this seriously and in this particular matter, we know we have taken up the matter with the US and Canadian authorities,” he said.
Pannun, the chief of the proscribed organisation Sikhs for Justice, released a video message earlier this week, in which he threatened to "shake the very foundation of Parliament" on December 13—the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament.
The Delhi Police said they have already stepped up security in and around Parliament. "When Parliament is on, we remain alert. We are taking all precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident," a police officer told news agency PTI.
Bagchi, in his media interaction, said India has flagged concerns to our partners regarding any threats made by extremists or terrorists against the country or its diplomats.
"He is wanted by our agencies for violation of the law and there is a process under which we seek assistance and that they are prosecuted, depending on whether the crime is committed,” he said.