Safe havens in Myanmar main threat now: CM

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 17: Pointing to ‘safe havens’ of Northeast militant outfits in neighbouring countries from where they purportedly orchestrate terror strikes in the region, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today identified the hide-outs in Myanmar as the ‘number one’ threat at the moment.

While confirming ULFA(I)’s involvement in July 14 Pengeree attack in which a trader and his daughter were killed, Gogoi said operations against the outfit are being intensified.

 “The safe havens of the militants in bordering countries must be dismantled. They get secure shelter and places for training there. They enter this country, carry out attacks and sneak out again to these safe havens,” Gogoi said at a press conference here.

 “At the moment, Myanmar is the number one threat for us. Bangladesh also has some of these camps, as does Bhutan,” he said, adding that dense forests on either side of these intertiol borders serve as sanctuaries for the insurgents.

Gogoi said he has asked the Government of India to give stress on guarding the intertiol borders to stop movement of militants.

 “We want a full-out operation in Myanmar, with the cooperation of Myanmar government. It could be a joint operation between the two countries or Myanmar government can flush out the militants,” he added.

Gogoi  also pointed to how the militant groups from the region have formed a united platform at Myanmar.

On ULFA(I) chief Paresh Barua’s threat to Hindi-speaking people in the State, the CM said, “Nobody will bow down to his threat. The Government of India or Government of Assam will not allow killing of innocent people.”

He said three gunmen who carried out the Tinsukia attack have been identified and two linkmen already arrested.

Additiol security forces have be sought from the Centre, and the State government is in touch with the army and paramilitary forces to monitor the situation, with top officials camping or visiting the affected Tinsukia district.

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