Security concerns

With the Lok Sabha polls approaching, the police and security forces started receiving very disturbing intelligence inputs about the possibility of militant strikes during the poll process in Assam and all possible measures must be taken by the Government to prevent any sabotage attempt to ensure that the people manage to exercise their franchise with an open mind. It is reported that the police recently received an intelligence input about the game plan of militant groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Ranjan Daimary faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) and jehadi groups to create disturbance during the polls and all the district police forces as well as the security forces engaged in the counter-insurgency operations in the State have been alerted to thwart any such attempt. The unified command structure operative in the State should also review the security scenario seriously to devise methods to deal with the situation. Vigil along the international border with Bangladesh should be increased as it is now a well established fact that most of the North East based militant groups as well as the jehadi groups inimical to India have their bases in the neighbouring country. Of course, it is primarily the responsibility of the Border Security Force (BSF) to prevent anyone from sneaking into India from Bangladesh, but the police and other security agencies must maintain proper coordination with the border guarding force to share all available intelligence input to prevent elements of anti-India groups from sneaking into the country from Bangladesh.

The explosion in Guwahati city on March 31 barely an hour before a scheduled election meeting addressed by the Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee once again highlighted the threat perception and all sections of people should also keep their eyes and ears open as it is not possible for the police and security forces alone to prevent blasts. The police, on its part, should improve coordination with the common masses as in the past, such efforts paid rich dividends. The candidates and the leaders of the political parties should also strictly adhere to the security guidelines issued to them by the police and should not be over-enthusiastic as it may turn out to be disastrous. The political leaders should not move out without the security cover provided to them, while, the political parties should also inform the police the details of the poll meeting schedules so that the areas can be put under a security blanket by the police and security forces. ASSAM TRIBUNE