Chandigarh: The banned organization Khalistan activists stick on the posters of following provocative vandalism of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly building on Monday morning. Himachal Pradesh State has stepped up security from tonight. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur had this morning ordered an investigation after flags of Khalistan were found draped over the gates and boundary wall of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Dharamshala and pro-Khalistan graffiti was painted on its walls.

Interstate borders have been sealed and police barricades placed there. Strict vigil of hotels and other probable hideouts has also been ordered. Bomb disposal units have been put on high alert and security strengthened for critical State infrastructure, the official order said. Security has been put on high alert at the State borders and intensive night patrolling by the police has been ordered.

The renewed security measure comes after the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) announced that it will hold a Khalistan referendum on June 6^th in Himachal Pradesh. The order copy also details several recent incidents involving pro-Khalistan activities in neighbouring states. The State police had said they suspect the involvement of tourists from Punjab. Chief Minister Thakur had said he will review the security along the borders with neighbouring states Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Punjab. Himachal Pradesh attracts tourists from across India.

Chief Minister Thakur in a tweet on Monday morning said that, I condemn the cowardly incident of raising Khalistan flags at the gate of Dharamshala Assembly Complex in the dark of night. Only winter session is held here, so there is a need for more security arrangements only during that time. Taking advantage of this, this cowardly incident has been carried out, but we will not tolerate it. This incident will be investigated immediately and strict action will be taken against the culprits. I would like to tell those people that if you have the courage, then come out in the light of day, not in the dark of night, said in a second tweet.