GUWAHATI, July 30 � The Centre has alerted the Assam Government on possible attacks by Islamic militant outfits in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations, while outfits like the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) and the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) are also getting desperate to make their presence felt.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that the threat from the Islamic militant groups is not limited to Assam, and it is an all-India threat as such groups are out to create disturbances. Normally, Assam faces threats from the local militant groups in the run-up to the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations, but this time, threats from the Islamic militant outfits also cannot be overlooked, sources added.
The police and security forces involved in counter-insurgency operations have been alerted about the possible threats. The problem that the forces are facing is that they are still not aware of the modules of such groups active in this part of the country. Such groups are desperate to make their presence felt after the BJP-led NDA Government assumed office. This will be the first Independence Day celebration under the new Government at the Centre. Inputs about the activities of such groups in other parts of the country indicate that because of the recent attacks on people belonging to the Muslim community in parts of Assam, particularly in the BTAD areas, the State can become a target of such groups, sources added.
Meanwhile, sources said there have been inputs that the senior leaders of the ULFA(I) have directed the cadres on the ground to make their presence felt in the run-up to the Independence Day as they are well aware of the fact that the outfit would become irrelevant if they fail to make their presence felt. The ULFA(I) managed to trigger off an explosion in Krishnai in Goalpara district, but the intelligence agencies have an input about the possible attack and the forces were alerted. The ULFA(I) brought in four improvised explosive devices (IED), but they managed to trigger off only one. Sources also said that the ULFA(I) does not have an adequate number of trained manpower on the ground to indulge in large-scale violence.
The NDFB(S) is also trying to make its presence felt. But at the same time, the outfit is suffering heavy losses in recent times as a number of its hardcore members were either arrested or killed. Sources said most of the operations of the outfit are masterminded by hardcore members like D Bidai and N Batha, while the chairman IK Songbijit is in the Tamu area along the Indo-Myanmar border.
