Guwahati, Sept. 6: Security forces in Assam have launched a massive operation in Sonitpur district, which has become a stronghold of the National Democratic Front of Boroland.
They have also sought help from Arunachal Pradesh to seal its borders with the district — the militants use the jungles along the inter-state boundary as their hideout.
A home department official said the operation would help corner the outfit and also persuade it to come overground.
“We are already receiving indications that many who are now with Ranjan Daimary may switch sides and join the pro-talks faction of the NDFB once the Centre starts formal political talks with the group,” the official said.
The decks for parleys with the pro-talks faction have been cleared with the outfit dropping its initial demand for a sovereign Bodoland for statehood.
The officials are hopeful that talks with the ceasefire group of the NDFB would begin within a month or two.
“The ball is now in the Centre’s court, as the NDFB has submitted its charter of demands on the basis of which the talks will be held,” the official said.
Giving up “sovereignty” led to a split in the NDFB last year, as Daimary refused to scale down his demand.
The NDFB of late had gone on an extortion overdrive in the district and had made its presence felt by blowing off an army convoy, killing a colonel and his driver.
The official said the current operation was mostly confined to Sonitpur district and its adjoining forest areas in Arunachal Pradesh.
“Because of the strong presence of ex-Bodo Liberation Tigers members and NDFB ceasefire group in the BTC areas, the Daimary faction is operating mostly in Bodo-dominated areas of Sonitpur,” the official said.
The official said apart from the state police, the army, the CRPF and Assam Rifles are engaged in the current offensive against the outfit. He also said hitherto the operations in the district were mainly case specific or routine patrolling.
“But now we have launched a fullscale operation against the outfit in the district,” the official said.
