167 terrorists held in two months in Assam: Governor

GUWAHATI: Security forces have arrested at least 167 terrorists and linkmen allegedly involved in the serial attacks on Adivasi people in many districts across Assam in the last two months.

"The intensive operations by security forces in the aftermath of this gruesome killing has resulted in arrest of over 167 members and linkmen of the terrorist outfits," Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya said in his written speech on the first day of the Budget Session of the Assembly.

The speech was considered read and accepted in the House as he could not complete it following disruption by the united opposition over economic health of the state.

"Two of their leaders were also killed during the action by the security forces. On the insistence of the state government, the National Investigation Agency has taken up investigation and registered four cases against the terrorists," Acharya said.

At least 81 persons, including Adivasis, Bodos and Bengalis, were killed in serial attacks by NDFB(S) terrorists, retaliatory violence and police firing across many districts in Assam in December 2014.

"The carnage on December 23, 2014 perpetrated by terrorist groups in the BTAD and Sonitpur districts and related incidents, in which a large number of innocent people lost their lives, is an example of a cowardly act arising out of sheer desperation of such terrorists and extremist elements," the governor said.

He also said that simultaneous action was being taken against militant elements from outfits across the state.

"My government reiterates its strong and continued commitment to deal firmly with all such anti-national and terrorist elements while retaining its focus on peace through development," he added.