London, Aug 17: Two men of Indian origin have been charged with conspiracy to murder and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life. The two were among three arrested in the London area on Wednesday 13 August under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Police in London said that the arrests were part of an ``ongoing investigation,'' in connection with an alleged conspiracy to murder, by the anti-terrorist squad.The men are believed to be part of a Sikh Separatist group and Scotland Yard confirmed that the arrests followed raids at various addresses in London. The two men charged, a 37-year-old double glazing shop owner and a 44-year-old shop assistant, will appear at Belmarsh magistrates' court, south-east London, tomorrow. The third man was bailed to return to a central London police station next month pending further inquiries.Police have denied a report that the men were arrested in connection with a plot to murder a senior diplomat. There was speculation, however, that the police operation may centre on the visit of Punjab minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh earlier this month. A spokesman for Scotland Yard earlier said that it was unable to confirm or deny this since it never commented on ``matters of security'' and now that two men had been charged the matter was subjudice.According to sources, local police contacted the Indian High Commission in London in connection with a public engagement that Capt. Singh had in Slough in west London. The engagement was cancelled. Capt. Singh was also asked to move out of the hotel at which he was staying and is known to have moved to an address in Berkshire for the remainder of his stay.Sources in Southall say that ``Young Sikhs started shouting and making death threats'' at the Park Avenue Gurdwara where Capt. Singh was addressing a meeting. The source says that the presence of armed police did nothing to deter them. Graffiti sprayed on walls in the predominantly Punjabi Southall list various Sikh politicians from India as ``agents of India''. Sikh groups, who were among those who reportedly burnt the national flag outside the Indian High Commission, in London, have used the 50th anniversary to raise their continued demand for Khalistan.When the men appear in court tomorrow they will merely be read the charges against them, asked to confirm their names and addresses and a date will be set for the next hearing.
