GUWAHATI, Aug 9 � Operational coordination among the militant groups has become a major cause of concern among the police and security forces, particularly in view of the ensuing Independence Day celebrations and the security forces have already come across information about possibility of joint attacks by ultras in Assam.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that according to intelligence inputs, the militant groups having bases in Myanmar have already agreed to have some kind of operational cooperation, while, the Manipur-based groups have already come under common umbrella for launching offensive.
Recently, the police and security forces have come across inputs about attempts by militants belonging to the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to indulge in acts of violence in the run-up to the Independence Day and two separate groups have already entered India from Myanmar. Sources said that the anti-talk faction of the ULFA is desperate to strike to make its presence felt in the wake of beginning of peace talks between the Government of India and the pro-talk faction.
However, the most disturbing fact is that the groups sent by the ULFA to indulge in acts of violence in Assam also include members of Manipur-based militant groups PLA and KYKL. Sources revealed that according to inputs available, one 17 member group, which included seven members of Manipur-based ultra groups, is in the Sivasagar � Nagaland border areas waiting for an opportunity to strike, while, the second group consisting of 25 members including three PLA cadres is camping in the Tinsukia � Arunachal Pradesh border areas.
Sources revealed that the groups have been given specific tasks like attacking security forces, oil installations, gas pipelines, railway tracks etc., and security measures have been beefed up. It is very much possible that few members of the groups may have already managed to enter Assam, sources admitted. Sources further said that from the location of the groups, Sivasagar and Tinsukia districts are considered most vulnerable but the possibility of the militants trying to strike in other parts of the State also cannot be ruled out.
The groups that managed to enter India from Myanmar are heavily armed with sophisticated weapons as well as remote controlled improvised explosive devices, Chinese bottle grenades etc., and all the forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations have been alerted to keep a close watch on the situation.
Interestingly, security forces are of the view that most of the boys sent for the job are new cadres. But some old cadres of the militant outfit are also included in the groups. The forces have managed to get the names of some of the old cadres who have entered India and they include Tibrajit Baruah, Madhurya Gohain, Akan alias Pradeep Gogoi, Raktajit Hazarika, Muhim Gogoi and others.
Meanwhile, security sources said that Karbi Anglong, based militant outfit Karbi People�s Liberation Tigers (KPLT) is also trying to strike before Independence Day. As it is the only major active militant outfit in the hill districts, it would definitely make its presence felt.
Though the Ranjan Daimary faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has announced a unilateral ceasefire, the forces have been asked to keep a close watch on the areas where the outfit has its presence.
