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Islamic fundamentalism changing
Assam security scenario

Emergence of Islamic fundamentalism has given a totally new twist to the security scenario in Assam with a large section of the disgruntled Muslim population being lured by over a dozen militant groups, says Chief Minister P K Mahanta.

"The Inter Services Intelligence has managed to infiltrate into Assam a number of its agents in the guise of imams. Intelligence input indicates that Jamaat-e-Islami of both Pakistan and Bangladesh are maintaining close clandestine links with Muslim militant organisations operating in Assam," says a paper released by Chief Minister Mahanta to a group of journalists.

The paper, prepared by the Special Branch of the state police, says that apart from giving moral support, Jamaat-e-Islami of both the countries are secretly funding Muslim militant groups to carry out 'nefarious designs'.

The activities got a further boost as insurgent groups, including United Liberation Front of Asom, were in search of 'safe havens' in Bangladesh once the army cracked down on them.

As a result, a host of Muslim fundamentalists organisations have come to stay. These include the Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (formed in 1993), Student Islamic Movement of India (1993 - operating both in Assam and Manipur), Muslim Volunteers Force (Barpeta area), Tiger Liberation Front of Assam (1992 - Hajoi), Islamic Revolutionary Army, Saddam Vahini (1991), Islamic Sevak Sangh (1991 - Kamrup district).

According to Mahanta, "The arrest of four Pakistanis also revealed the role of Pakistan's dreaded outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in Assam." Some youth trained by this group have already been deployed in the region, he said.

Mahanta claims the Assam police are in possession of evidence which show that the ULFA top leadership is in close contact with certain officials of the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka.

Another adverse result of Islamic fundamentalists-militants nexus is the change in the demographic pattern of the state. Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Sinha asserts that the reason why 'ULFA maintained thundering silence' on Bangladeshi influx is 'obvious'.

In fact, even surrendered ULFA cadres seem to echo the line. Abhinash Bordoloi, a formerly lieutenant and area commander in Goalpara area, says "No Bangladeshi was ever attacked. ULFA could take no step against Bangladeshi immigration and that is going to leave us nowhere," he says.

Mahanta has called for a new and more stringent legislation to deal with the ISI and foreign mercenaries. "Under the present laws, these miscreants often seek bail and run away," he says.

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