Guwahati, Aug. 13: Security forces have increased vigil along Assam's inter-state borders to foil any bid by militants to enter the state and carry out strikes ahead of Independence Day.
Special director-general of police (law and order) Kuladhar Saikia told The Telegraph today that superintendents of police of border districts, particularly in Upper Assam bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, have been asked to take all necessary measures to thwart any attempt by Ulfa (Independent) cadres to enter Assam to carry out attacks.
Intelligence inputs suggest a group of Ulfa (I) cadres might try to enter the state from Arunachal and Nagaland to carry out attacks targeting security forces and oil installations in Upper Assam.
"We have also alerted the citizens' committees and village defence parties to keep vigil on oil installations and bridges, among others," said Saikia, who reviewed the security arrangements in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo districts on Thursday.
He said apart from Upper Assam, security has been beefed up in Guwahati and lower Assam districts like Bongaigaon and Chirang where NDFB (Songbijit) has a presence.
Saikia said a detailed security analysis has been conducted and reinforcements made wherever required.
Ulfa (I), Manipur's CorCom and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) of Meghalaya have given a joint call for boycott of the Independence Day celebration.
Security forces fear that Ulfa (I) may team up with NSCN (Khaplang) to carry out attacks as there have been earlier instances when cadres of the two outfits have jointly targeted forces in Upper Assam.
In a related development, Assam Rifles troops arrested an NSCN (Reformation) " rajapio" (area commander), Bokam Wangrey, from Yongchik village in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district last night.
An AK-47 assault rifle with a magazine, 28 rounds of 7.62mm-bore rifle ammunition, 10g brown sugar, nine SIM cards and incriminating documents were recovered from him.
Public relations officer (defence) Chiranjeet Konwer said, "Based on specific inputs, Assam Rifles troops launched an operation and arrested a senior cadre of NSCN (R) faction. Security forces have also arrested an overground worker of the outfit, Raju Kumar Choudhury, during the operation."
On August 4, another NSCN (R) cadre, Jongsham Chena, was arrested from Changlang district.
"The tightening of noose around the outfit by the security forces has brought much relief to local residents who were under distress because of extortion and forceful recruitment by the militant group," Konwer said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY RISHU KALANTRI IN TINSUKIA
