The Assam Cabinet on Sunday passed a resolution against alleged attempts to destabilise the state by a Pakistani national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who is said to have links to Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The resolution follows Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s allegation that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife had worked under Sheikh.
The Cabinet resolution highlights concerns over activities by Sheikh, who is a former adviser to Pakistan’s Planning Commission, and directs the state police chief to register a case and investigate the matter.
Sarma shared the resolution on social media, saying that Sheikh has ties to the Pakistani government and has interfered in India’s internal matters. Public records show Sheikh has held advisory roles in Pakistan and worked on committees under its prime minister. Assam authorities, as per the Chief Minister, view his activities as a security concern, citing Pakistan’s past involvement in destabilising the region.
The resolution also mentions Sheikh’s links to Elizabeth Gogoi, a British national married to Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. It said that Sheikh and Gogoi have collaborated at a climate action group, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, which operates in India and Pakistan. Gaurav Gogoi has denied the allegations, saying that the BJP government is indulging in a “mischievous, malicious, baseless, fact-less, slanderous campaign” as they are unable to perform in the state.
Following the Cabinet’s decision, the government has ordered a probe to:
- Investigate Sheikh’s network in Assam and other parts of India.
- Examine individuals and groups associated with his activities.
- Seek assistance from national security agencies to assess potential threats.
The Cabinet has cited Assam’s history of being targeted by ISI-backed operations and has called for increased vigilance. The resolution signals the state government’s approach to addressing security risks from external sources.