Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said strict action would be taken against those responsible after three Khalistan flags were found tied to the main gate and boundary wall of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Dharamshala on Friday morning, reports IndiaToday.

“Condemn the cowardly act of putting up Khalistan flags at gate of Dharamshala Assembly Complex,” Thakur tweeted on Friday, soon after the flags were discovered. “Only Winter Session is held in this Assembly, so there’s a need for more security arrangements here during that time. The incident will be probed and strict action will be taken.”

Soon after the incident came to light, a police official informed that the flags were removed from the gates and walls.

Superintendent of police, Kangra, Khushal Sharma suspected the hand of "some tourists from Punjab" behind the incident.

"It might have happened late night or early morning today. We have removed the Khalistan flags from the Vidhan Sabha gate. It could be an act of some tourists from Punjab," the SP said.

The police will register a case into the matter today, he further informed.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Dharamshala Shilpi Beakta raised concerns over the incident and said that it is a wake-up call for the administration to be more alert.

"We are inquiring and a case will be registered under relevant sections of the Himachal Pradesh Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1985. This is like a wake-up call for us to work with more alertness," Beakta said.