Operation against NDFB (S) going on in full swing

CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR, January 2: Operations against the Songbijit faction of the tiol Democratic Front of Boroland have been intensified, especially in places along the Indo–Bhutan border and the forested areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang where the outfit is known to have strong presence.

The army, SSB, police and other paramilitary forces under the unified command structure are carrying out the joint operations.

Patrolling along Indo–Bhutan border areas have been intensified while the army is carrying out search operations deep inside the Ripu and Chirang reserve forests in Kokrajhar and the Aie–Valley division in Chirang district. The Indo–Bhutan border in the two districts have been sealed by security forces and strict vigil has been intensified in the border areas through which the NDFB (S) militants could sneak into Bhutan.

Talking to visiting reporters at Saralapra jungle along Indo–Bhutan border in Kokrajhar district today, an officer of the SSB who was on duty said a massive operation against the militants was going on in full swing. He said round–the–clock patrolling, frisking and ambushes in militant’s hiding areas are being carried out. He said they received some information about the presence of militants in Haijrai area of Kachugaon deep inside the Ripu reserve forest. He, however, said that no NDFB (S) cadre has been elimited in Chirang reserve forest under Halgugaon division in the district.

Meanwhile, eight–member team of the NIA has started their investigation in the district from today. The NIA has taken up two cases in Kokrajhar (case number 557/2014 and 558/2014) – and two in Sonitpur (case number 738/2014 and 310/2014). The source said the NIA has constituted four teams to investigate these cases. The NIA team met senior officers of the army, SSB, SP and DC of Kokrajhar, and held discussions.

In Kokrajhar, the team has started investigating the cases in Pakhriguri under Serfanguri police station and Ultapani under Kokrajhar police station. Sources said the team would be camping in Kokrajhar till the investigations are over.