The threat of Islamic militants and action by agencies of Pakistan are conducted from across the borders, alleges CM Tarun Gogoi.

For the first time ever, the Assam Government has formally raised an alarm over the activities of ISI of Pakistan in the State, conceding that the North-East has emerged as an important hub for espionage agencies like the Pakistani outfit. The threat of Islamic militants and action by agencies of Pakistan are conducted from across the borders. An important ISI agent for North-East and Assam was apprehended recently by the Special Branch of Assam Police, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

Highlighting this aspect, Gogoi sought to put fresh pressure on the Government of India to take up the issue of terrorist camps within the neighbouring country, as also expedite the fencing of the porous border and institute a better border management mechanism. He was addressing the meeting on internal security that was chaired by the Prime Minister. One of the most important problems that Assam is faced with is the aid and sustenance that various anti-national groups receive from some inimical forces from across the porous borders, the Assam Chief Minister said. Almost all such groups have been training and staging camps as well as safe havens in some of the countries that have borders with Assam and the North-east. Ninety per cent of the operations conducted inside Assam by the terrorists are planned in these countries. Gogoi further blamed ULFA for its stubborn attitude. “Due to certain stubborn attitude of ULFA, such as inclusion of the impossible demand of ‘sovereignty’ as a precondition for discussion, the peace process has not progressed,” the Chief Minister said.

Presenting a blue print of the ‘Action Plan’ initiated by the Assam Government to tackle the threats poised to internal security, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unveiled a plan to raise a Special Task Force, even as he expressed apprehension over entry Maoist militants in the State with a tacit understanding with the Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA). In his address at the Chief Ministers’ Conclave on Internal Security, the Chief Minister laid bare the strategy adopted by his Government to tackle the situation. Though his 17-page speech contained the usual rhetoric about marked improvement in the overall situation in the State this year, he did highlight some of the problem areas. “Though the number of violent incidents during the year is higher compared to the previous year, the number of extremists killed is more than double than that of 2006,” he argued.

“The issues that should attract our immediate attention are the issue of terrorism, and the new dimension it is taking. Along with already existent problem of ethnic insurgency, which has already graduated into terrorism, the future foretells the possibility of inroads by Naxalisms and Islamic militancy,” Mr. Gogoi said. With the violence involving the Adivasis fresh in his mind, Gogoi said that of late a new militant outfit under the banner and identity of ANLA has emerged in the State. Their tacit understanding with NSCN (I-M) and Left-wing extremists groups of Jharkhand has become a matter of concern. Indeed, it is through such a route that Naxalism could take roots in Assam,” he cautioned.

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