Explosives experts inspect a letterbox in Athgaon after a bomb hoax triggered panic in the area on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

June 6: After cameras to detect bombers and ambulances to give life-saving treatment to blast victims, Dispur has deployed three companies of BSF commandos as part of all-out measures to prevent a rerun of the recent string of explosions in the city.

Senior superintendent of police (city), Surendra Kumar said the BSF personnel have been deployed on the outskirts of the city to prevent entry of militants into the city. They would keep vigil at both entry and exit routes.

The paramilitary force would also conduct combing operations in the suburbs, which Ulfa rebels have often used as hideouts to carry out strikes in the city. Investigations into the recent bomb blasts have revealed that rebels, who have sneaked into the city from neighbouring districts like Nalbari and Baksa, carried out the attacks.

The police are now trying to seal the routes used by the militants to enter the city.

Kumar said deployment of the BSF companies would strengthen the security arrangements in the city, especially since city police are facing an acute shortage of manpower.

Besides the BSF companies, 14 companies of CRPF along with Assam police personnel are maintaining vigil in the state capital. The administration has also deployed 100 additional homeguards in the city after a series of five blasts took place this month besides intensifying frisking and inspection of vehicles.

The city witnessed altogether 21 bomb blasts in a span of five months.

Kumar, who took charge as the city SSP on May 28, said he has instructed his subordinates to be on toes to foil the subversive plans of the militants. “We have laid emphasis on community policing. We are also taking steps to involve the Nagarik Samitis in maintaining security. A meeting between police officers and representatives of these civic organisations was held at Vivekananda Kendra auditorium last Sunday,” he said.

The SSP has also addressed public meetings at market places like Machkhowa, Athgaon, Fancy Bazar to create public awareness.

Kumar, however, said since it was not possible to deploy police personnel at every corner of the city, people should act as the eyes and ears of the police by remaining vigilant and informing the former about suspicious persons and objects. He said the purpose of community policing was to bring the police closer to the people and to make the functioning of the department transparent.

“We are trying our best to ensure the safety and security of the citizens,” Kumar added.