ULFA may try to disrupt polls, Assam Lok Sabha Election

Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, April 9 – Terming the ULFA as a pawn in foreign hands which has accounted for the killing of maximum number of civilians among all the terrorist outfits in the North-east, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today hinted that the outfit could try to disturb the poll process to suit the interests of some political parties. “We have reports – although those are yet to be confirmed – that the ULFA would make a bid to disrupt the poll process. Similar reports also indicate that it could help some political parties but those, too, need further verification,” Gogoi said at a press conference.

Gogoi added that people should also judge for themselves by the absence of strong reactions from the political parties on the Maligaon blast. “Even the BJP State leaders never condemned the ULFA. You should see who is criticizing the ULFA and draw your own inference,” he said.

Terming the escalating terror attacks by the ULFA as a matter of serious concern, Gogoi said that inadequate security manpower had been a constraint in dealing with the situation.

Gogoi Also said that the vulnerable areas, including many along the inter-state and international borders, had been identified.

The Chief Minister said that different political parties, too, had been asked to take precautions as per Election Commission (EC) directives in view of the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. “The Congress faces the maximum risk, with its almost every candidate being under threat,” he said.

Gogoi said that the ULFA had in recent times started targeting civilians in a never-before manner, mostly by triggering powerful blasts in public places. “The outfit is a pawn in foreign hands, and my appeal to the people is to expose its cowardice by alienating it completely,” he said.

Reiterating that containing the ULFA would be difficult as long as it continued to enjoy safe shelter in Bangladesh, the Chief Minister said that he expected the Centre to put more pressure on that country to cooperate on the issue.

Gogoi said that ongoing developments in Bangladesh and Pakistan could have undesirable consequences for the country, especially for the North-east. “We have intensified vigil along the Bangladesh border, as foreign elements inimical to our interest can sneak into Assam and create disturbance,” he said.

Gogoi, however, asserted that the Congress’ poll prospects were bright notwithstanding the growing violence, as the people had “full confidence” in the party for its various “development initiatives.”

“Even the level of insurgency-related violence during our tenure is less than that of during the AGP’s rule,” Gogoi said, and gave some statistics concerning civilian casualties, security personnel causalities and number of incidents to corroborate his claims. ASSAM TRIBUNE