GUWAHATI, March 6 - Seeking to use space technology to enhance surveillance in the char areas of the State, the Assam Government has approached the Department of Space and National Technical Research Organisation.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary told the Assembly today that the State Government is keen to utilise modern satellite technology for security purposes.
�At a meeting convened by the National Security Council Secretariat, the Indian Space Research Organisation had evinced interest in working closely with states, including Assam. The ISRO and Department of Space have been also involved in development of Cyberdome, a technological research and development centre to curb various crimes,� Patowary said on behalf of the Home Minister.
Responding to a call attention motion by BJP MLA Ashok Singhal about reports that youths from Assam have been allured by Islamist outfits, Patowary said there is no definite inputs about youths from Assam joining the Islamic State.
However, following the blasts at Burdwan in West Bengal, 56 members of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) have been arrested and arms and explosives recovered from various places of the State so far.
�Twelve of those arrested had taken motivational training in various madrassas of Bengal and the rest were trained in Assam. Around 10/ 12 JMB members are still untraced. Also, after the recent attacks in Bangladesh and videos published by ISIS and AQIS, two more JMB operatives � Md Kasimuddin Ali and Akram Ali � were caught in Barpeta,� he said.
Perceiving the threat, all SPs have been asked to be on alert and security at sensitive areas like railway stations, airports, oil installations, historic temples, mosques and other religious places have been enhanced, the government said, adding that security in the international border stretches and riverine areas have been stepped up.
The minister said that coordination has been maintained with intelligence agencies for information gathering and sharing, and all paramilitary and armed forces have been asked to be prepared to meet any situation.
He admitted that globalisation and information technology have been misused to spread provocative propaganda which is polluting the mindset of the vulnerable section. To prevent this, social media is being monitored and awareness created against its misuse.
Earlier, Dhekiajuli MLA Singhal wondered which section of youths was being lured by Islamist groups, how were they motivated and what was their objective.
�It appears there is a conspiracy against Assam. Poverty cannot be a reason for someone to join a radical group. We need to know their mindset and go into this mystery. The issue is linked to the State�s future,� he said.
Singhal also demanded a probe to ascertain if madrassas and other institutions were also motivating youths to join such outfits.
