Lashkar ultra from Assam back in State!

Police conduct raids at Raju's Tamulpur residence after sightings reported from Rangiya, intelligence quarters apprehend LeT activity in the run-up to I-Day

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, August 10: Security agencies in the State have been sent into a tizzy after locals in Rangiya claimed to have spotted two "suspicious looking" men, one of whom had reportedly joined the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba after passing out his Class X exams from a madrassa here.

Assam Police last night raided the residence of the suspect -  Md Rakib Ali alias Raju at Kandaikar of Doulkuchi in Tamulpur in Baksa district - but could not trace him. After completing his Class X exams from a madrassa at Rangiya, Raju had joined a madrassa at Azad Market area of New Delhi around seventeen years back.

"According to information available with us, he had then joined the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). However, after SIMI was banned in 2001, Raju reportedly joined a Pakistan-based outfit, most likely the Lashkar-e-Taiba," said a senior official at the Assam Police Special Branch.

There was not much communication between Raju and his family after he left Assam.

In 2000, Raju had asked his family to send him some money. His father, Md Halimuddin Moula sent a money order of Rs 500, but it did not get delivered at the address Raju gave.

On Saturday, some of Raju's old acquaintances at Rangiya claimed to have spotted him with another suspect youth moving around in the town. After police was informed, a search operation has been launched to locate the duo.

 "We have some information. He (Raju) has been missing since ten/twelve years. He was recently spotted at Rangiya. He is believed to be associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba. We are on alert and keeping a close watch," Kamrup superintendent of police Indrani Baruah said.

Police, who conducted a search at Raju's Tamulpur residence last night, informed that he has not visited his home. Police is also trying to get hold of a latest photograph of the suspect.

"There is an apprehension that such (Pakistan-based) outfits may try to create trouble in the State in the run-up to the Independence Day. And now with people claiming to have seen these suspects, we are on our toes," a senior Assam Police official said, appealing to the people to stay alert.