Maoist in Assam now equipped with sophisticated weapon

GUWAHATI: Maoist in Assam are now equipped with sophisticated weapon. This came to light when police on Wednesday during an encounter in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district killed four Maoist guerillas.

The police have recovered three AK-47 rifles, three Chinese grenades, large quantities ammunition and vital documents including extortion notes. These rifles were looted from police two years back.

This is first major crackdown on Maoist in Assam. In the encounter between police and Maoist, area commander of the outfit, Sidharath Borgohain was killed and a police personnel was injured. The encounter took place around 10.30pm in the Borgora area in Sadiya.

Superintendent of police of district, P.P Singh told ET, "Search and seizure operation is on. We have got vital information which will help us in nailing down other Maoist operatives."

Police in oil and tea rich Tinsukia district alone has arrested 40 Maoist cadres including in a woman cadre in last one year. Maoists are targeting Upper Assam districts along the Arunchal Pradesh for their operations.

Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi requested Prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to Guwahati to include seven districts of Upper Assam under Integrated action plan (IAC) to arrest the growing influence of Left Wing extremism (LWE). The state government has sought 125 companies of central para military force (CPMF).

Presently there are 97 companies of CPMF. The chief minister pointed out there is a need to include seven Maoist infested districts under IAC before it becomes a menace.

"Assam is infested by plethora of insurgent organizations. Their continued presence in the state serves as a common convergence point between ULFA, NSCN-IM and the Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur."