Security lapses in Kopather firing incident alleged, counter-insurgency operation on

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, Dec 10: Following a massive militant attack carried out by a six-member group of the armed ULFA  in the residential premises of MKB Tea Garden targeting the mager  at  Kopather under Bordumsa Police Station  in Tinsukia district of upper Assam on Friday evening, strong resentment has been brewing in the area against the police and security agencies engaged in the counter-insurgency operation for their failure to protect the life and property of the people, including tea garden workers and staff.

 The terror-stricken local residents of Kopather area, together with office bearers of Assam Cha Majdoor Sangha, during an interaction with this reporter, lambasted the police administration for failing to tackle the mece of the ULFA militants despite having full knowledge of terrorist movement and their sabotage activities, including kidpping and extortion for past one-and-half months.

 Reacting strongly to this effect, the garden workers and nearby villagers questioned the competency of the 30-member team of security forces camping at the garden premises since the receipt of the extortion note earlier on November 14 to counter and foil the efforts of the militants. According to the aggrieved people, armed with sophisticated AK -47 series weapons, the five militants entered the premises and started open firing, targeting several places and property, besides the factory and after 30 minutes of terror, they left the site through gate no. 9 under the nose of security forces based near the factory itself.

 On the other hand, civilians of Pengaree too are unhappy with the police personnel for unwarranted entry into few residences in Pengaree area at around 12.30 am the same night. The police personnel allegedly took away four mobile handsets of Lakhumla Tungyan, besides lifting Gojen Chetiya and his wife  for investigation mysteriously few hours  after their failure in Kopather in containing the brutality of the ULFA militants. Such activities amounting to harassment on the part of the security forces is sure to widen the gulf between the police and common people.

 However, the MKB TE authority in Kopather on receiving the extortion note demanding Rs 40 lakh, had immediately adopted all possible security measures rather than complying to the illegal demands of the militants. Similarly, the determined outfit too demonstrating their might on being challenged and perpetrated the terror activity when the garden authority, including the director, magers, supervisors  and others were engaged in a meeting. The people ran for their lives into the kitchen, bathroom and other safe rooms of the residence.

 The mager had a rrow escape when the armed militants opened fire, thereby damaging private vehicles and walked out casually through gate no. 9 lobbing a powerful grede behind.  However, no casualty was reported but sensation prevails in the entire belt as the safety and security of the common people and business community is at stake.

 Though security forces were engaged in the entire militant-infected vulnerable belt in and around the Assam-Aruchal border, yet no desirable output to this effect has surfaced. “The desirable output will be seen soon and law breakers, including anyone involved in the act directly or indirectly, will not be spared ,” said Mughdha Jyoti Mahanta, the Superintendent of Police of Tinsukia.