Guwahati, July 28
High alert has been sounded in Assam in the wake of serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad triggered by suspected Islamic militants. All DSPs in the state have been instructed to gear up vigil in all vulnerable places to thwart any design by the ultras to create terror.
The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is accused by the Army and police of having a close nexus with the Muslim fundamentalist groups based in the neighbouring countries that are also active in Assam.
Assam’s director general of police, R N Mathur, told the media here, “With the Independence Day round the corner, security forces have been kept on high alert in the state. We have also requested the Border Security Force (BSF) to mount vigil along the border with Bangladesh to prevent infiltration of anti-India elements.”
Number of security personnel deployed in crowded places like railway stations, bus stations, airports, banks, approach roads to markets, have been increased.
The Army, which spearheads the anti-terror operation in Assam under the three-tier unified command structure, has called for a security review meeting of all forces including police, CRPF, BSF, to re-assess the security arrangements in the state.
Meanwhile, the Army personnel gunned down Umananda Roy, leader of All Kamatapur Liberation Front (AKLF) and the brain behind the kidnapping of an engineer and a contractor of Gayatri Constructions Company engaged in a national highway project, last night following a fierce encounter at Basugaon in Chirang district of western Assam. Army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said the slain militant was also involved in killing of Hindi-speaking people in the past.
