Militant groups in north-east get together

Guwahati (ANI) - Militant groups in northeast India are making attempts to coordinate their efforts, according to reports.

Intelligence reports have revealed that major militant groups of Manipur have come to the rescue of the decimated militant organizations of the region in general and Assam, in particular.

The recent IED blast in Guwahati by NDFB has revealed its links with People’s Liberation Army of Manipur.

On July 16, a railway bridge was damaged in a powerful blast in Udalguri and an IED was planted at Fancy Bazar area in Guwahati exploded while being defused.

On July 7, an explosion on a railway track, derailed several coaches of the Kolkata-bound Garibrath Express in Kokrajhar .

Following these incidents, a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police arrested three cadres of the Manipur’s Peoples Liberation Army. They revealed that they had triggered blasts at the behest of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) anti-talk faction.

"The extremist groups want to establish some bases here because this is the gateway to the Northeast. They want to set up their bases here but they are not successful," said P.C Saloi, Senior Superintendent of Police, Guwahati.

There is feeling of fear among residents despite security arrangements.

"Security has been provided but fear continues to exist among the people. This place (Fancy Bazar) was always crowded, but after the incident the people are afraid of coming here," said Bharat Mishra, local shopkeeper .

The anti-talk faction of NDFB is also responsible for several crimes, including the serial blasts in Assam on Oct 30, 2008.

The outfit maintains close links with banned outfits in the region including United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Formed in Oct. 3, 1986, the NDFB is fighting for `sovereign Bodoland’ in the western areas of Assam.

In May 2005, the NDFB declared a ceasefire agreement with the government, but the anti-talk faction headed by Ranjan Daimery refused to read the writing on the wall.

"Ranjan Daimary has been captured and the whole organisation is in disarray. So, they have to now prove by some actions that they are still there. That’s all that I read into it. It’s a group, which is on the wane, and I am quite sure, if handled properly, they would come to the negotiating table and will surrender," said General V. K. Singh, Chief of the Army Staff.

The intelligence agencies and security forces are on high alert and making efforts to ensure that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest.