Centre asks NIA to probe Assam violence
NDFB (S) militants in Assam at Police Bazar point in city on Saturday. (ST)
Guwahati/New Delhi: The Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Saturday reviewed the security situation in Assam after NDFB(S) militants killed over 80 people this week and directed his troops to carry out relentless operations against the perpetrators of terror.
He also pitched for greater synergy with Central and state intelligence and security agencies.
On arrival in Guwahati, the Army Chief was given an overview of the current status of operations, covering the various measures being taken to effectively improve the larger security milieu in Assam.
He was also briefed on the proactive actions undertaken by the Army along with different agencies to intensify the pressure on the militant outfits, army sources said.
The General reviewed the deployment of 66 Army columns in the disturbed areas, while examining the blueprint for the deployment of forces being inducted into the sector.
General Singh interacted with various commanders in the field to obtain a first-hand perspective of the area-domination operations on ground. He thereafter made an aerial survey of the strife-torn areas of the state along with the officers leading the operations.
Taking note of the road map being planned by the Army jointly with the police forces, the General directed his troops to extend all possible support to the state administration in bringing back normalcy, while at the same time carrying out relentless operations against the perpetrators of terror.
Assuring additional support for the renewed focus of operations, he hoped it would rapidly ameliorate the security environment to bring about lasting peace and harmony in the state. The Army Chief, while exhorting his field commanders to enhance the intensity of operations against those responsible for the carnage, said he would continue to maintain a close watch on the dynamics in the region.
NIA probe: Meanwhile, the Central government on Saturday directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the recent violence in Assam.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs today (Saturday) directed the National Investigation Agency to take up the investigation of four cases registered by Assam Police relating to the recent attacks by suspected NDFB(S) group in the two districts of Sonitpur and Kokrajhar in which a large number of people were killed,” an official statement said.
The Assam government had recommended that the investigation of these cases should be handed over to the NIA.
“Considering the gravity of the offences and relevant factors,” the central government agreed to get these probed by the NIA. (Our Correspondent and agencies)