The security has been beefed up in upper Assam to thwart subversive activities by militants in the run up to the Republic Day celebration.
The security in Dibrugarh Airport at Mohanbari has been tightened to counter any untoward incidents.
“We have taken all precautionary measures and the security has been tightened a head of Republic Day. Every year ahead of Republic day and Independence day celebration we tighten our security more to counter any threat,” Mughavi Zhimo, Director of Dibrugarh Airport told Northeast Now.
The security at Chabua air force station as well has been tightened after the intelligence agencies have alerted that the ULFA (I) is trying a Pathankot like strike in airport.
According to sources, the ULFA (Independent) is planning to carry out subversive activities in Upper Assam to disrupt the Republic Day celebration.
“A five member group of Ulfa(I) under the leadership of Uday Asom entered Assam to carry out major strike to disrupt the Republic day celebration. They can carry out strike on major government installation to show their strength,” said a source.
Number of Northeast based rebel groups have given boycott call of the Republic day celebration.
Security forces have identified Tinsukia district in Upper Assam as highly vulnerable because following the recent major attacks carried out by ULFA (I) and NSCN (K) militants.
Tinsukia shares it’s boundary with Arunachal Pradesh and the militants sneaked into Tinsukia from its bases in Eastern Nagaland through Arunachal Pradesh.
Surjeet Singh Paneswar, Additional SP (HQ), Dibrugarh said, “Security has been tightened to counter any threat from militant outfits. We are doing round the clock checking and night patrolling is on in the sensitive areas of the district. CRPF and police have been doing night patrolling.”
During the Republic Day celebration in Dibrugarh last year, a blast took place just 500 metres away from Chowkidinghee parade ground. The militants lobbed a grenade into a drain near a tea garden where it exploded.
According to police source, after the burning down of nine crude oil tanker by the suspected NSCN(IM) faction at Namchik check gate in Tinsukia district, massive counter insurgency operations has been launched along Assam- Arunachal border.
“We have beefed up checking at the check post along Assam- Arunachal border to thwart any threat from militant outfit. The area is sensitive as it is covered with thick jungle and the militant sneak into Assam through the forest route to carry out subversive activities. We are taking every possible measure to counter threat from the rebel groups,” a top Army official said.