Chandigarh, December 18: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday lambasted Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for planning to separate Punjab from India with the help of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Captain Singh said, “Statement by SFJ’s Legal Advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannu seeking Pakistan’s help to ‘liberate’ Punjab from India has exposed the nefarious designs of the organisation and its nexus with the Pakistani Army and the ISI.”

Statement from Punjab CMO claimed that the chief minister’s comment nailed SJF’s lies that it is a peaceful movement to build momentum for a referendum on a separate state of Khalistan. Through his statement, Pannu has made clear his intentions of going all out to force the secession of Punjab from India, Punjab CMO said.

In August, pro-Khalistani Organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) held a rally demanding a separate country for Sikhs. More than 2,500 people participated in the rally to issue so-called ‘London Declaration’ for holding Referendum 2020’. The Pro-Khalistani protesters were holding anti-India placards. Kashmiri separatist groups also extended their support to the ‘London Declaration.’ The anti-India rally was also supported Britain’s left-wing Green Party of England and Wales. Indian Diaspora Decry Pak Sponsored Khalistan '2020 Referendum'.

Speaking on the Kartarpur Corridor, the chief minister said that he was all in favour of the corridor to fulfil the long-pending aspirations of the Sikh community in India, but it was a "misuse" of the initiative that he was opposed to. He further added that If Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was truly in favour of opening the doors for long-lasting peace with India through this corridor, he should not only unequivocally condemn the SFJ statement but should also ensure that Pakistan soil is not used by the anti-India outfit to further its campaign, he said, urging the Pak leader to put a stop to the plan of 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention – 2019'.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2018 09:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).