GUWAHATI: Union Government has the Assam government to delve deep into the existing network of sleeper cells of the banned ULFA-I in the wake of May 15 grenade blast on busy R G Baruah road in the heart of Guwahati city.
There were more surprise elements than the damage caused by the grenade blast triggered by the proscribed ULFA-I in the city after a long lull and at a time when the outfit has been hit hard by its depleting cadre strength.
The grenade blast that went off in the heart of ‘fortified’ Guwahati city in front of a posh and busy shopping mall on R G Baruah Road injuring 12 persons, was indeed a stunning one for the security forces and Assam Police given that the ULFA-I is now being considered a toothless tiger after its top rung had come out a few years back to engage in talks with the Government of India.
Assam Police have done a commendable job to nab all the culprits involved behind the grenade blast within just 72 hours and unearth the entire process of planning and execution of the sinister plan by the militant group.
But, the startling revelation in the wake of the blast was that the ULFA-I is still capable of striking in Guwahati’s heart and set up a mobile operation hub at Sixth Mile area in the city, not far from the capital complex in Dispur.
The Centre has, therefore, directed the Assam government to dig deeper into the nexus between the ULFA (I) and its sleeper cells that were uncovered during the recent probe by Assam Police after the grenade blast, according to a security source.
A recent high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and top officials of Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Assam Government, and Assam Police discussed the security measures needed to be taken to neutralize sleeper cells set up by the ULFA-I in the state.
The Centre has told Assam government not to keep the probe confined to detention of ULFA activists responsible for the blast.