Centre issues terror alert in Assam; ULFA may carry out attacks ahead of Independence Day
The attacks, possibly bomb explosions, may be timed around July 27, Martyrs' Day commemorated every year by ULFA, and August 15, MHA advisories to the state have warned.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: The Centre has alerted the Assam government of attempts by anti-talks faction of ULFA to carry out terror strikes in the state in the run-up to Independence Day. The attacks, possibly bomb explosions, may be timed around July 27, Martyrs' Day commemorated every year by ULFA, and August 15, MHA advisories to the state have warned.
Though the majority of ULFA central committee leadership has come out in favour of talks with the government, Ulfa's no 1, commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, has staunchly opposed the peace moves.
Still commanding the loyalty of many cadres and armed with a sizeable arsenal of arms and explosives, the Baruah group has tied up with other north-eastern insurgent outfits, including People's Liberation Army of Manipur, to derail the peace moves and take forward Ulfa's struggle for secession.
Intelligence inputs have warned that with Ulfa faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa planning formal talks with the government soon, Baruah may go for a big strike in the fortnight ahead of Independence Day to send out the firm message about who is in control. He had carried out a blast outside the Congress headquarters in Guwahati in the run-up to the Assembly election earlier this year.
"We have shared all necessary inputs with the Assam government. The government will take all security precautions and will discuss the inputs and strategy in the upcoming meeting of the Unified Command headed by the CM on July 28," a senior MHA official here said.
Though the majority of ULFA central committee leadership has come out in favour of talks with the government, Ulfa's no 1, commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, has staunchly opposed the peace moves.
Still commanding the loyalty of many cadres and armed with a sizeable arsenal of arms and explosives, the Baruah group has tied up with other north-eastern insurgent outfits, including People's Liberation Army of Manipur, to derail the peace moves and take forward Ulfa's struggle for secession.
Intelligence inputs have warned that with Ulfa faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa planning formal talks with the government soon, Baruah may go for a big strike in the fortnight ahead of Independence Day to send out the firm message about who is in control. He had carried out a blast outside the Congress headquarters in Guwahati in the run-up to the Assembly election earlier this year.
"We have shared all necessary inputs with the Assam government. The government will take all security precautions and will discuss the inputs and strategy in the upcoming meeting of the Unified Command headed by the CM on July 28," a senior MHA official here said.
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