“OUTLAWED United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was behind the incidents and was using it as a pretext to stage a comeback,” felt Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani. The Deputy Prime Minister asserted that the steps taken by the Centre and the Sate government during the last four-five years had reduced ULFA to a non-entity. But the recent incident in Bihar and the subsequent reaction in Assam are being used by ULFA to spurt terrorist activities in the State, Deputy Prime Minister expressed. “Its support among the people had completely dwindled during the past four-five years, but the incidents have provided them an opportunity to make a comeback.’’ He also said that the killings of Biharis and Hindi-speaking people in Assam were a very unfortunate development and the Centre was taking all possible steps to control the situation.

“We sent the Army and later para-military forces on the request of the State Chief Minister to improve the law and order situation. We even went to the extent of withdrawing six companies of the Border Security Force from the borders and deploying them in the troubled areas,’’ he said. Mr. Advani hinted though the Centre would send more para-military forces to the State once the elections were over, it was unfortunate that despite its best possible efforts the Centre was being blamed for the worsening situation in the State. “This is not acceptable. Useless criticism of the Centre is of no use. Proper coordination (between the Centre and the State) is important,’’ Mr. Advani asserted. On being asked about the reported involvement of the ISI, the Deputy Prime Minister declined to comment and revealed at present ULFA’s role was quite evident.

“I don’t to comment on that (reported ISI involvement). At present ULFA’s role is evident.’’ According to the Centre Assam Government have 158 companies of security forces, besides the Army. The Centre feels that the strength is enough to handle the situation and asked the State administration to deploy and utilise them effectively. It asked the State Government to deploy the security forces adequately to effectively handle the situation arising out of the recent space of violence.

The Centre has already dispatched 25 companies of central para-military forces between November 20 and 25 to assist the state administration in maintaining law and order. The Home Ministry had sent an advisory to the State Government on November 20 saying the State Gtovernment might strengthen the presence of security forces by redeployment out of the companies at their disposal.

The Centre sent 25 companies of security forces to the state between November 20 and 25. On November 20, six companies were sent, followed by seven, three and nine. According to the advisory, in places with large population of Biharis like Dibrugarh, Duliajan, Bongaigon and Dhubri, the local District Magistrates for assisting them may request Army. Peace Committees may also be constituted up to the police station level, the advisory said.

Centre announces package for Biharis in Assam

The Centre has announced a package to rehabilitate the Biharis and other Hindi speaking people who were displaced during the three-week violence which claimed more than 50 lives and rendered thousands homeless. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will allot necessary funds to help the affected people in ethnic clashes to restart their vocations and deputy commissioners of affected districts had been asked to identify the families, which required financial assistance. The package would include construction of houses for nearly 20,000 people living in 30 relief camps in Assam, supply of relief materials, including food grains and other essential commodities.

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