ULFA, NDFB planning serial blasts in Assam: Police

Militant outfits ULFA, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) are planning to carry out serial blasts in various places in Assam, the state's police chief said Friday.

Newly-appointed Director General of Police (DGP) Khagen Sarma, a 1982 batch Indian Police Service officer, told media persons after taking charge from outgoing DGP J.N. Choudhury: "The anti-talk faction of ULFA, NDFB and KLO have been planning to carry out major subversive activities like triggering of serial blasts at different places of the state."

Paresh Baruah, commander-in-chief of the ULFA faction opposed to peace talks, had recently initiated a move to unite all militant outfits and Maoists operating in the state, he said.

"This move will not succeed as a similar move failed in the past," Sarma said.

He said Paresh Baruah's group and the NDFB anti-talk faction led by I.K. Songbijit were planning serial blasts, and the KLO has decided to target certain communities.

Sarma, however, said the law and order situation in Assam was much better at present as some militant outfits are in ceasefire pact with the government.

On Maoist rebels, whose activities have been growing in some districts, the DGP agreed it was a cause for concern.

"There are about 100 trained Maoist cadres in the state. But there are also non-trained cadres with the trained ones," he said.

"Police have been mostly busy in dealing with insurgent activities in the past, leading to a sharp rise in petty crimes. However, I will ensure that all crimes are tackled with equal strictness," he said.

The DGP said he would stress on improving the police-people relationship and would put in serious efforts to improve the infrastructure and modernise the force.