Assam forms Special Task Force to deal with militancy

Guwahati, Nov 3: The Assam Government has decided to constitute a Special Task Force headed by an Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank officer to deal with militancy and combat Jehadi forces in the state.

It will be formed in line with the National Security Guards (NSG).

Two battalions of the STF will be raised at the initial stage. The State Government will also form a Security Advisory Council by involving retired police officers to guide the Government in security and law and order-related matters.

On Sunday, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in an informal chat with reporters in Guwahati said the State Cabinet has decided to create a new Police District for Guwahati headed by a Commissioner in view of the growing security needs of the expanding city.

Gogoi, who is also looking after the Home Department, said that the investigation into Thursday''s serial blasts at Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road and Bongaigaon is going on in the right direction.

Gogoi appealed to the people to maintain peace and confidence in the government.

While reacting to Tuesday''s shutdown call by All Assam Students Union, Gogoi said that this is not a time for such calls to make political scores.

Meanwhile, the Assam police arrested two more suspects on Sunday in connection with the serial blasts in Assam even as Gogoi said the needle of suspicion pointed to insurgent outfits based in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Two persons - Muzamul Haque and Anwarlul Haque - were arrested from Lakhimpur district of Assam following clues gathered from the detained persons, said the Assam police.

With this arrest, the total number of arrests rose to five.

Twelve high intensity serial blasts rocked Guwahati and some other cities of lower Assam on October 30, leaving 76 dead and over
300 injured.

The State Home Department has indicated that there is clear evidence of the United Liberation Front of Ahom (ULFA)-jihadi hand behind the blasts. The jihadi hand according to intelligence sources is the Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HUJI).

Indian Mujahideen, a front organisation of HUJI and Lashkar - e Toiba - has claimed responsibility for the Assam serial blasts. It made the claim in an SMS sent to a local TV channel. (ANI)

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