GUWAHATI, June 6 - Though no footprint of Islamic State (IS) and other such terror groups has yet been found in Assam, the Government of India is not taking any chance and the situation in the State and other states of the eastern region of the country is also being reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) so that adequate precautionary measures can be taken.
Highly placed sources in the Government of India told The Assam Tribune that the MHA is keeping a close watch on the situation as footprints of the IS was found in several states of the country. During the investigation of the serial blasts in Sri Lanka, it was found that Bangladesh is also on the radar of the terrorist outfit.
Sources said that the National Security Council is also holding series of meetings with senior police officers of different states to review the situation and to take adequate precautionary measures. The Council recently held meetings with the police officers of the states on regional basis and the meeting with Assam and other states of eastern India was held early this week.
Sources pointed out that footprints of the IS was found in different states of the country including south Indian states, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir etc and so far, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) has registered 28 cases, where connection with the IS were found. Though no activity of the IS has yet been traced in Assam and other parts of eastern India, the Government is not willing to take any chance because of the proximity of the area with Bangladesh.
Sources pointed out that after claiming the responsibility of the blasts in Sri Lanka, the IS even admitted their presence in Bangladesh and the possibility of elements working for the outfit trying to cross over to India by taking advantage of the porous nature of the India-Bangladesh border cannot be ruled out. Sources said that Neo JMB, an active terror group in Bangladesh, is believed to be a wing of the IS. Despite the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh to curb the activities of the terror groups, Neo JMB is still active in parts of the neighbouring country. Under the circumstances, India cannot take any chance and there is need for strict vigil to prevent elements of such outfits from establishing roots in eastern part of India.
The activities of Jamaat ul Mujaheedin Bangladesh (JMB) in Assam came to light only after an accidental blast in Burdwan in West Bengal and the modules of the outfit operating Assam were arrested. Two of the members of the JMB operating in Assam, managed to escape but they were later arrested by the NIA in south India. The Government of India recently banned JMB under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after receiving an input that the outfit managed to set up bases within ten kilometres from the India-Bangladesh border and it was apprehended that members of the outfit might try to sneak into India again.
