GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday talked tough and warned terrorists against trying to destabilise the country, even as the investigators are still groping in the dark over Thursday's serial blasts in Assam.
Ruling out any compromise in the fight against terror, Dr Singh indicated he would take up with Bangladesh the possible involvement of militant outfit HuJI based in that country in Thursday's serial blasts in Assam.
"If other governments are involved we will take up the matter with them," the Prime Minister said without naming Bangladesh.
"Whosoever is responsible for these dastardly act... we will take effective measures," he told reporters at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital after visiting the injured here accompanied by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Meanwhile, rejecting the charge levelled by BJP that his government was soft on terror, the Prime Minister said "we are not going soft on terror. There can be no compromise with terror."
Asked about the identity of those involved in the blast, he said "we will look into the clues available and it will not be proper on my part to come to any conclusion."
"Proper investigations are on to find out the culprit," Dr Singh said.
But the investigation agencies of both Centre and State were yet to make much headway on Thursday's blasts in lower Assam except some general statement that the attacks might be a joint operation of HujI and ULFA.
What had been confirmed by the state police that all the bombs of Guwahati and Barepeta Road were kept in cars.
Assam Police IGP (Law and order) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta told newsmen that the investigating team had tracked original owners of some of the vehicles, used in the blasts.
''It has been found out that in each of the cases either the vehicles were sold off long time back or stolen. But as a precautionary measure we have picked up some of the owners,'' he said adding that so far four persons had been arrested.
The arrival of SMS to a local television channel had further made the scenario complex as it was apparent that a highly sophisticated communication network was being resorted to by using the phone numbers of some genuine customers to divert the investigation. '' After we got the news of the SMS, we swung into action and caught the original owner of the number of Nazeer Ali. It seemed that his SIM was copied and used by someone else simultaneously, '' Mr Mahanta said.
'' This could be diversionary tactics or may be a genuine one. we are not leaving any stone unturned to come to a conclusion, '' said Mr Mahanta adding special investigation team for the bomb blast would be led by IGP Chanranathan.
The terrorists had used three separate Maruti cars, which were recently bought from the second hand car market.
Later addressing a high-level meeting attended by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, his Cabinet colleagues and top army, police and civil officials, Dr Singh assured all help to the state government in tackling terror.
He reviewed the law and order situation at the meeting held at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi airport and said the Centre would support the state government in "this hour of crisis" and expressed his government's firm resolve to fight terror and ensure security to the people of Assam.
Dr Singh and Gandhi, accompanied by Union Minister of Heavy Industries Santosh Mohan Dev, who arrived here amidst a statewide bandh called by several organisations, left for Delhi after the visit.
Streets of Guwahati were deserted at the time of visit of the two leaders because of a statewide bandh called by the BJP and the VHP. The bandh was total all over the state.
The lawyers of the Guwahati submitted a memorandum to the two leaders demanding fulfillment of various demands including full-proof security to the court complex.
DEATH TOLL UP: Meanwhile, the death toll in Thursday's serial blasts on Saturday rose to 81 with four more persons succumbing to their injuries here. While three died at Gauhati Medical College Hospital, another died at Basistha Army Hospital, official sources said, adding that the condition of 20 other injured was critical. ( With inputs from our correspondent & agencies)
Bodo leaders condemn reports on ISF-IM
Kokrajhar: Bodo leaders on Saturday condemned the reports of existence of little-known outfit Islamic Security Force-Indian Mujahideen (ISF-IM) here and its involvement in the serial blasts, saying it is a "political conspiracy" to malign the Bodo people.
"There is a deep rooted political conspiracy to malign the Bodo people and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area by substantiating claims of the Islamic Security Force-Indian Mujahideen to be behind the blasts in Assam," BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary said.
Denying the presence of such an organisation in BTC area and its formation in 2000 to fight the BLT and NDFB, Mohilary, a former leader of the disbanded insurgent outfit BLT, said, "the political conspiracy is to disturb peace and incite communal hatred in the BTC areas."
Mohilary, whose Bodoland Peoples Progressive Forum is a partner of the ruling Congress in the state, demanded clarification from the government that such an Islamic organisation was created against the Bodos.
"If it was created then, why did the authorities and police officials keep silent for so long? This proves a security and political nexus with this outfit," he alleged while speaking to reporters here.
Discounting media reports quoting official sources about the existence of ISF-IM, he said BLT was created for a separate statehood movement and "there was no element of fighting or targeting of any community for their removal".
BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyari said the security system in the State would be responsible in case of any panic or exodus due to "this kind of sensation."
The ISF-IM on Friday in a SMS to a local private TV channel claimed responsibility for the serial blasts that killed 77 people on Thursday in Assam.
The hitherto little known outfit had in the SMS also warned of more bomb blasts in the state other parts of the country. "We thank all our holy members and partners," said the SMS, received in the mobile phone of the channel's input desk from a Reliance mobile number 98646-93690.
The mobile phone was subsequently switched off and security forces traced it to Moirabari in Nagaon district registered in the name of one Nazir Ahmed.
Three persons, including Nazir Ahmed, have been arrested in this connection, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta told reporters here.
Deal situation with highest national priority: AGP
The AGP on Saturday asked the Centre to deal with the situation arising out of the serial blasts in Assam with "highest national priority".
"The situation of the Northeastern region would become worst than that of Kashmir if the central government fails to realise the urgent need of dealing with a highest priority," AGP general secretary and MP Sarbananda Sonowal said here.
Accusing Congress of being casual on the country's security in the wake of serial blasts which claimed more than 70 lives, Sonowal appealed to all political parties to raise their voice against the ruling party in Assam.
"The Congress party has attempted to communalise the security concern of the country. Number of instances are available whereby it could be concluded that the party has been adopting a casual approach in dealing such anti-Indian forces," he said, adding "the intensity of their activities are growing with an alarming rate day by day posing a great threat to the national security".
BJP condemns blast
Our reporter adds: BJP's Meghalaya Minority Morcha has condemned the recent serial blasts in Assam in which 82 innocent people were killed and hundreds injured.
In a release issued by president, State Minority Morcha of the BJP Sharif Ahmed, the BJP put the blame on the UPA Government for its failure to check cross-border terrorism which is responsible for the blasts. The BJP also demanded immediate resignation of Tarun Gogoi for his complete failure to fulfil his duties towards the public.
Pranab to attend Buddha Mahotsav
Itanagar: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will attend the eight Buddha Mahtosava to be held at Tawang from November nine.
Mukherjee will be the chief guest at the inaugural function of the three-day festival. Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Minister of State at PMO Prithviraj Chavan will also attend the programme, an official release said here on Saturday.
Work is going on in full swing to restore the vital road link from Balipara in Assam to Tawang, which was breached at several points following recent flash flood at Rupa, before the commencement of the festival.
Pawanhans has recently introduced daily chopper service between Guwahati and Tawang, the picturesque land of Monpas housing the second largest Buddhist Monastery in the world after the one in Lhasa in Tibet.
An alternative 450 km route from Rawta in Assam via Balemu-Kalaktang-Rupa-Bomdila is being made operational for light vehicles by today, the release added. (PTI)
Bomb hoax
Agartala: Panic gripped the autorickshaw union office at Akhaura Road here after an anonymous caller rang up and said that bombs were kept in the unclaimed bag lying in the office, which later proved to be a hoax, police sources said on Saturday. The anonymous caller rang up the union office last night and said bombs were kept in an unclaimed bag lying in the office. The office bearers immediately rang up the police, who rushed to the spot along with the bomb squad personnel, sources said. The bomb squad personnel after checking the bag found no bombs inside it, sources said adding some substances looking like bombs were kept inside it. (PTI)
Tripura to have reserve for jumbos soon
From Our Correspondent
Agartala: Tripura Board for Wildlife, in its first meeting, approved a number of plans for overall development of wildlife wealth in the State.
The meeting that was presided over Chief Minister Manik Sarkar here on Friday gave its nod to the plan for setting up of an elephant reserve at Atharamura hills in West Tripura district.
The District Magistrate has been asked to form a three-member team to study various aspects including rehabilitation of 800 indigenous families likely to be evacuated if the plan is implemented.
According to preliminary survey, around 800 families will be uprooted if the project is implemented.
The committee that would be led by District Magistrate, will have to submit its report within the next three months. "Final decision will be taken after studying the report of the three-member panel" an official of the Forest Department said.
Latest census indicates an increase in the number of elephants in the State. As on today, the number of elephants stands at 59.
Besides this, decisions for setting up conservation centre for mammals at Hatipara and critical wildlife habitats were also taken up in the meeting. Chief Wildlife Warden AK Gupta, who was present in the meeting, informed that the number of elephants has increased in the State. He also informed that work was underway to make Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary as a national park for clouded leopard.
Later, Chief Minister also unveiled a newsletter on State's wildlife.
Speaking at the meeting, he exhorted to make a film on State's wildlife life wealth.
Ultras abduct firm employee
Agartala: An employee of a private construction firm engaged in border construction work has been kidnapped by the insurgents of Borok National Council of Tripura from remote Durjoyroajapara tribal hamlet in Dhalai district, police said on Saturday. A group of ultras raided the tribal hamlet on Friday and kidnapped Manik Saha (28) at gunpoint when he was supervising border construction there. Saha was employed in a private construction firm, police said adding the ultras kidnapped him for ransom. (PTI)
Aizawl hotspot for Myanmar bike lifters
Aizawl: Aizawl that borders Myanmar has become a hotspot for its bike lifters as made-in-India bikes such as Bajaj Pulsar are in great demand in the neighbouring country. Aizawl police, who have recovered stolen Pulsar and Yamaha R15, which were being carried to Myanmar recently, said this was only a tip of the iceberg.
As complains of missing bikes keep pouring in the Aizawl police stations, a good number of bikes with Mizoram registration numbers were reportedly seen in Myanmar towns bordering Mizoram, police added. Three Myanmarese were, meanwhile, arrested along with an Indian driver who transported the stolen bikes recently.
Police intercepted the thieves near Seling town, about 40 kms from here when they were evidently heading for Myanmar. This was not for the first time that police have intercepted the stolen bikes being carried to Myanmar. (UNI)
Over 6 lakh youth jobless in Manipur
Imphal: More than 6.33 lakh unemployed educated youths have registered with employment exchanges in Manipur, official sources said on Saturday. Sources said altogether 6,33,451 educated youths including 1,73.645 females have registered at different employment exchanges in nine districts of Manipur till Semptember 2008. Sources said the total population of Manipur is about 23 lakh people.(PTI)
Manipur celebrates harvest festival
Imphal: The Kut festival, a post harvest festival of the Kuki Chin Mizo groups of Manipur was celebrated on Saturday with pomp and splendour.
Hundreds of people thronged the Manipur Rifles ground here to participate in the main function where cultural programmes of various Kuki Chin Mizo tribes were organised.
The day has been declared as a holiday by the State Government to celebrate the post harvesting festival.
Dignitaries like Governor Gurbhachan Jagat, Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh, Cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior civil and police Officers participated in the progarmme to enjoy the colourful festival.
Governor Gurbhachan Jagat said the festival symbolizes gratitude, compassion and gaiety.
It also provides a platform to people cutting across the barriers of caste, creed and religion to make a sincere introspection of their own thoughts and values.
''Let the Kut 2008, spread the message of peace,harmony,brotherhood compassion and forgiveness and usher in peaceful co-existence in Manipur'' he added.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said, spirit of Kut is all about sharing and understanding harmonious co-existence co-operation and merriment.
'' The best way to celebrate festivals like Kut is to strive for building a harmonious society and work for strengthening the bond of amity'' he added. (UNI)
2 armed activists killed in encounter
Imphal: Two armed activists were killed in an encounter between Assam rifles personnels at Behing village in Manipur's Churachandpur district and bordering with Myanmar on Thursday last, according to delayed sources said here on Saturday.
Sources said that some armed activists attacked at the 9th Assam Rifles post at Behing village.Assam rifles jawans retaliated and exchange of fire continued for two hours. During the surch operation the next day two bullet riddled bodies were recovered by Assam rifles jawans from nearby hill and jungle areas.
The identity of the two deceased are yet to be known, sources added. (PTI)
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