Assam Police Chief Asks Cops, Army To Keep Strict Vigil On ULFA(I) Ahead Of I-Day Celebrations

The meeting was held in connection with subversive activities being carried out by militant organisations, especially the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent.

Assam Director General of Police (DGP) held a meeting with police chiefs on Wednesday

Source : Pallav Bora

Ahead of Independence Day celebrations, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Pratap Singh held a meeting with superintendent of police (SP) of all upper Assam districts, high-ranking officials of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Army in Tinsukia district on the security situation.

The crucial meeting, held on Wednesday, was in connection with the law and order situation and subversive activities being carried out by militant organisations, especially the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I).

Briefing media persons after the meeting, DGP Singh said, "We have directed the SPs of all the upper Assam districts to keep a strict vigil on the activities of the militant organisations, especially the ULFA (I), and tighten up security measures, in the run up to the Independence Day celebrations."

"The ULFA-I attempts to show their strength during the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations by carrying out attacks on the security forces besides striking vital installations. The security forces have been alerted and asked to carry out extensive operations in the vulnerable areas," DGP Singh said.

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On reports of youth from the state joining ULFA-I, Singh said those who have recently been recruited wanted to return to join the mainstream as they were facing many obstacles and hardships in the camps located in neighbouring Myanmar. 

Ahead of Independence Day, the state's bordering areas have been kept under tight vigil, especially Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang and Nagaland's Mon districts, bordering Myanmar. These bordering areas are believed to be strongholds of various militant organsations.

Patrolling by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have also been intensified so that no trains or railway tracks are sabotaged by the militant outfits.

Patrolling along the national highways, bridges and vital installations have also been stepped up. All the entry and exit points to Assam’s Guwahati have been sealed and all vehicles, including passenger buses, are being thoroughly checked.

Several militant organisations operating in the state, including the ULFA-I, calls for a general strike on Independence Day and Republic Day and appeals to the people to boycott the the celebrations.