Dibrugarh, June 21: Dispur has put the civil administration and police on high alert following fears of a re-run of the fratricidal clashes that had occurred earlier, when Ulfa militants had targeted their former comrades and surrendered Ulfa (Sulfa) activists had retaliated.

The move has come in the wake of Ulfa militants gunning down a senior Sulfa leader, Rinku Chowdhury, in the heart of Guwahati a few days ago. In its aftermath, senior Sulfa members issued a warning to Ulfa that “they would not remain a mute spectator if Ulfa continued to target surrendered Ulfa men”.

Police in all districts, particularly those in Upper Assam, have been told to keep an eye on the situation and ensure that there is no recurrence of the ugly incidents that have occurred earlier.

“We have been asked to prepare lists with the names of the family members of Ulfa activists as well as of those of surrendered militants living in various parts of the state,” a senior police official said.

Several Sulfa activists have been gunned down by Ulfa militants in the past as the rebels suspected that Sulfa activists were helping security forces in their counter-insurgency operations against the banned outfit. Several relatives of Ulfa leaders, too, were killed in reprisals, tagged as “secret killings”.

What has irked senior Sulfa activists such as Sourav Gogoi, Jugal Kishore Mahanta, Sunil Nath, Sailen Konwar Dutta and Agni Narzary is the fact that Ulfa has targeted a senior Sulfa activist, who had surrendered way back in 1995.

In a joint press communiqué, these senior Sulfa leaders said they had been trying to live in peace, but it was rather unfortunate that Ulfa had once again started targeting their comrades.

“We shall be compelled to take steps on our own if Ulfa does not stop targeting us. The state government must also ensure that there is proper security arrangements for all surrendered militants,” the statement said.

Several forums of former Ulfa rebels have earlier appealed to Dispur as well as security forces not to harass them and force them to join operations against Ulfa.

Jugal Kishore Mahanta said the state home commissioner has pledged proper security for all Sulfa activists across the state. Security arrangements at the residences of senior Ulfa leaders are also being reviewed.