Security forces in northeast India’s Assam state responded with a heightened state of alert after the banned outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) on Thursday (August 15) delivered a bomb threat.
In Assam’s biggest city Guwahati, the police were seen having cordoned off several roads, including stretches of Zoo Road, the Ulubari-Rajgarh connecting road, and Narengi. Intensive checking is reportedly underway across Assam and state borders with neighbouring Meghalaya.
Assam Tribune reported that in Narengi, just 19 km from Guwahati, near the office of the controller of defence accounts, the police reportedly summoned the bomb squad to assist in the efforts.
The proscribed outfit, in a statement sent to various media houses, claimed that they had planted bombs in 19 locations, including Jorabat, in the city.
The security forces swiftly swung into action across multiple districts of Assam and at the time of writing this report, a few bomb-like structures, wrapped in polythene, have been recovered from Sivasagar, Lakhimpur and Nagaon, Assam Tribune reported.
ULFA-I issued a press release and stated that bombs had been planted in various districts in protest against the Independence Day celebrations.
Assam’s Director General of Police Gyanendra Pratap Singh said searches were carried out extensively across the state for explosive devices.
“At two places in Guwahati, suspicious articles were found which were opened by bomb disposal squad of police. These articles do not have ignition devices inside though some circuits and batteries are seen. The substance inside is being sent for forensic/chemical examination,” he posted on X.
“Similar articles have been seen at Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Nalbari & Nagaon which have been safely disposed of. In this connection, appropriate lawful investigation has been initiated,” he said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asked ULFA (I) chief Paresh Baruah not to create an atmosphere that will affect the flow of investments into Assam.
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“Assam has 14 lakh (unemployed) youths who go to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh to work as security guards. If Assamese youths do not stay in Assam, with whom will we make Assam independent?” he asked, referring to the ULFA (I)’s quest for sovereignty.
(With inputs from agencies)
Mukul Sharma
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