High alert sounded across Assam, security tightened

GUWAHATI: To avert any untoward incident in the run up to the second phase of state assembly polls, Assam Police have sounded a high alert across the state, especially in lower Assam's militancy-prone areas of Goalpara district bordering Meghalaya, and Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts.
Following the Dudhnoi blast on April 4, which killed three persons, security forces have launched a massive counter-insurgency operation in the area.Ulfa (I) was thought to be behind the incident but denied responsibility for the blast and termed the allegation as a poll tactic.
On Thursday, launching a joint operation in Kokrajhar district, the Army and state police arrested Raju Mushahary alias Rajesh, a National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) faction's 35 batch cadre. He was allegedly involved in extortion, arms peddling, recruitment and providing logistic support to banned terrorist organizations in the area. A 7.65mm pistol with magazine, live rounds of ammunition and a hand grenade were recovered from him.
NDFB (S) has already banned the entry of BJP-AGP alliance candidates into the BTC area and has urged people to reject them.
"In a separate operation, a Muslim Tiger Force of Assam (MTFA) militant, identified as Md Sahidul Islam Miah was arrested in the Rupsi area in Dhubri district in lower Assam. A 7.65mm pistol, some live rounds, MTFA demand notes and other ammunition were recovered," Army spokesperson Lt Col Suneet Newton said.
Frisking has been beefed up in several areas in Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup and Goalpara district, bordering Meghalaya. Assam Police witht help of its counterparts in the neighbouring state have also intensified the counter-insurgency operation in the area.
A top cop said, "Goalpara district has recently seen an uprise in Ulfa (I) and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) activities. Ulfa's lower Assam in-charge Drishti Rajkhowa is gunrunning in the area."
Security forces admitted that they were facing a difficulty in apprehending Rajkhowa as they do not have a recent photograph. Though many believe that he is in Sherpur in Bangladesh, sources don't overrule his presence in the district.
Drishti Rajkhowa alias Manoj Rabha, an RPG expert, was the commander of the 109th battalion of the outfit. He is said to be a close confidante of the outfit's Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah. Married to a Garo woman, he has close contacts with many Garo rebels.
On Wednesday, state police gunned down an Ulfa (I) militant identified as Pabitra Rabha at Jira Adaldum area on the Assam-Meghalaya border. A policeman also died in the encounter.
The city crime branch too nabbed two United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) militants from the city's Basistha area on Tuesday evening. Police said the duo has indoctrinated several youths in the outfit and was planning to abduct a city-based businessman.
Meanwhile, Ulfa (I), marking its 37th Raising day on Thursday, mourned the deaths of around 14,000 lives who died during the struggle. The hardliner faction's chairperson Abhijit Asom said, "People of the state must not forget the sacrifices of our youths who fought for justice and freedom. Ulfa (I) warns all forces who plan to finish this struggle because this movement will not stop until it reaches its desired goal."