Security beefed up in Assam following ULFA threat

GUWAHATI - Police have beefed up preventive security measures in Guwahati following an intelligence alert over a possible strike by the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

“There are intelligence inputs that ULFA may try to do some subversive activities in Guwahati, so our police is taking care of,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma, Health Minister of Assam.

However, he dispelled panic over the warning as he said that the might of the rebel group has waned after the arrest of some top ULFA leaders, including its Chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa.

“I think now police has developed its network very well and we are confident that ULFA is no longer such a force to be scared of any more,” Sharma added.

The ULFA is one among the two dozens of armed ultra factions operating in the northeastern region, either fighting for independent homeland, or more political autonomy.

They accuse New Delhi of plundering the region’s mineral and forest resources, neglecting local economy and giving them back nothing in return.

State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has reiterated that the government is ready to hold dialogue with the ULFA leaders on all issues within the ambit of Indian Constitution.

He is reported to have said that he would not ‘wait indefinitely’ for the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief, Paresh Baruah, to come forth for the dialogue. (ANI)