NEW DELHI, Aug 8 - Denying allegations of intelligence failure, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday clarified that the probe in the Kokrajhar terror attack case is being conducted by Assam Police but hinted that it may be handed over to National Investigation Agency (NIA) in consultation with the Government of Assam.
The Union Home Minister made statements in both the Houses in Parliament today, while MPs raised the killing of August 5 in the two Houses.
In Rajya Sabha, replying to a question, the Home Minister said that all investigations are being done by Assam Police but if at a later date the need is felt then the probe may be handed over to NIA in consultation with the State Government.
Singh also played safe and unlike the State Government, he refrained from naming any group. �I cannot say with certainty which group was involved,� the Home Minister said.
Referring to queries about circulation of illegal weapons in the Northeast, the Union Home Minister held that foreign forces were responsible for supplying such weapons. �It is a reality that external agencies have a role,� he said.
The Home Minister said that in the Northeast there are about 60-70 insurgent outfits but in Assam 2014-2015 was the most peaceful year after 1988. Violence level was lowest in that year and no security force personnel and civilians fell prey to bullets of the insurgents.
The NDFB has intensified its activities since December 2014. The security forces have also launched counter offensive and 39 militants were killed and 600 arrested. There was improvement in the situation and peace had returned. Some outfits are indulging in violence and stern action will be taken, he warned.
About withdrawal of Central forces, Singh said that the forces were deployed on demand of the Election Commission but were withdrawn after the polls.
But currently, eight companies of CRPF, nine companies of Army are deployed in Kokrajhar, while additional four companies of Army are being rushed to the area, he said.
Referring to allegations of intelligence failure, Rajnath Singh said, �We do not think it was an intelligence failure and there is proper coordination between the State and Central agencies.�
Earlier, in his statement, the Union Home Minister gave a brief account of the killing in Kokrajhar and said, �I have taken up with the Government of Assam and the security forces in the State to track down the militants involved in this attack so that they are brought to justice for this crime against the humanity.�
Meanwhile, Ripun Bora participating in the discussion wondered why the forces deployed in the area were withdrawn given the backdrop of the sensitiveness of the area and despite inputs that there may be violence on account of the Independence Day celebrations. �Was it a security lapse,� he asked.
Santiuse Kujur said that in December, 2014, a series of attacks by NDFB Songbijit group militants resulted in deaths of more than 76 Adivasi people in Assam, including women and children. The attacks took place in Chirang, Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts. He urged the Government of India to continue the �Operation All Out� to eliminate NDFB Songbijit group and arrest the main accused to save the precious lives of the people of Assam.
In the Lok Sabha, Naba Sarania said during the Zero Hour that since 1990s thousands of innocent people have been killed in the name of a struggle for separate Bodoland. A force had always been active over there to flare up communal tension. The Bodo agitationists in order to increase their population have been attacking the people belonging to other communities. The entire incident should be investigated by NIA and the CRPF companies should be redeployed.
