On Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also mused about seeking international agencies such as Interpol’s help in investigating the alleged involvement of Pakistan national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh in India’s internal affairs. Sarma’s remarks follow a buzz around Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Colburn, being linked to Sheikh.
Senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who addressed the media in Guwahati, said that the investigation was at an initial phase and that he had already talked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the whole issue. “The issue is very sensitive. Even though the SIT (Special Investigation Team) is embroiled in the probe, our investigations will go only this far. Sometimes, we shall need to involve agencies like Interpol on the investigation,” he said.
It was sparked when it emerged that Sheikh, who had been a member of Pakistan’s Planning Commission and was said to have been a one-time friend of Colburn, made social media comments about Assam’s domestic concerns. On February 17, Assam police booked him under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Sarma has stepped up his attack on Gogoi, claiming that his wife held on to her UK citizenship for 12 years and has possible links to Pakistan’s ISI affiliated organizations. He stressed, though, that no matter how far the investigation goes, the Assam government is ready to carry it further by using all available legal avenues to ensure that there was no external interference in the state’s matters.
The case has attracted intense national attention, and political tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have swelled in barbs over the issue.
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