ULFA threat: Security alert sounded in Assam

Assam has been put on a general security alert in view of the threat by the anti-talk faction of ULFA to engage in subversive activities in the run-up to Independence Day celebrations.

"A general security alert has been sounded and security tightened throughout the state. Police pickets have been posted at vulnerable areas," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) A P Rout said.

"The anti-talk faction of ULFA (headed by Paresh Baruah) is desperate to carry out subversive activities to show its presence but the police has sounded the alert to thwart such plans," he said.

Meanwhile, police said a few small groups of ULFA have managed to sneak into the state from their camps in Myanmar and some of other cadres are currently sheltered in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap, Changlang and Lohit districts and Mon district of Nagaland.

According to information available with the police, senior ULFA anti-talk faction leaders including Nayan Medhi and Rajiv Das are in Majuli River island and directing cadres in the region to plan subversive activities.

Other senior members of the outfit including Tibrajit Hazarika, Rupanta Kakati, Arpajyoti Lahkar and Pradeep Gogoi are holed up in districts of upper Assam looking for opportunity to strike, the police said.

The recent attack on an Army convoy in Goalpara district was planned by senior ULFA leader Drishti Rajkhowa who has recently shifted to Garo Hills of neighbouring Meghalaya and has been staying in a camp of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), the police sources said.