Guwahati: Security has been beefed up across Assam after banned militant outfits once again called for a general strike on January 26 and appealed to the people to boycott the Republic Day celebrations. The United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) have issued a joint statement calling for a "total shutdown" on Republic Day from 12.01 am to 6 pm.


We are alert, says Assam DGP


Talking to the media on the boycott call by the insurgent groups, Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said, “We are very alert as always and I am sure it will go very well with the cooperation of the people. Our preparation is very tight and we are leaving no stone unturned. Yes, there are certain challenges in Assam as always and I believe we are after it.”


“This is nothing unusual about the boycott call given by certain groups. In Assam gone are those days of boycott and people are going to defy it, it's very obvious and we don’t need to retreat. However, we will keep sharp watch, we are keeping sharp watch and people of Assam are not allowing these kinds of things, I mean any violence anymore,” the top cop added.


Top police officers of all districts of the state have been asked to remain vigilant against any subversive activities by the militant organisations.


Inter-State Borders Under Surveillance


Forest areas along the inter-state borders with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, especially in upper Assam, are being kept under security surveillance, while the Guwahati police have increased watch and frisking of people coming from the neighbouring states.  


Special attention is being given to the bordering district of Tinsukia along the Arunachal Pradesh border in view of extortion activities by militants.


Vulnerable areas have been identified to carry out patrolling to prevent the possible movement of extremists. Night patrolling has been intensified while checking of trains and patrolling of railway tracks by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is being done.


Patrolling has also been intensified along the national highways, bridges and vital installations such as refineries, electricity generation plants, government installations, Doordarshan, Radio stations and other vulnerable places.  


Tight Security At CM’s R-Day Celebration Venue


Preparations for the Republic Day are, however, in full swing throughout the state. Tight security measures have been put in place at the Central Republic Day celebration venue at Khanapara veterinary college playground in Guwahati where Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will unfurl the Tricolour at 9 AM on Thursday.


The author is a senior journnalist covering the Northeast.