Assam: STF Recorded Huge Successes after Revival in March 2023: Special DGP Harmeet Singh

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The Special Task Force (STF), Assam, had undergone a revival in March 2023 since it was notified in 2008. In its new avatar, the STF has made a major impact in areas like drug smuggling, wildlife crime, jihadi activities, and other activities as per its mandate. It has achieved notable successes in its operations under IGP Partha Sarathi Mahanta, the STF chief and new Commissioner of Police, Guwahati.

This was stated by Assam Police's Special DGP, Harmeet Singh, in an interaction with the media here on Monday.

Special DGP Singh said, "A revival of the STF took place as per the Chief Minister's instructions. The STF was notified in 2008. Like other states that have anti-terrorist squads, the STF was given that mandate in Assam, but the organisation became such that officers were present, but there was no effect on the ground. Some work on rhino poaching was done, but no real action or result was achieved. As per CM's guidance, supervision of the DGP and under the leadership of IGP Partha Sarathi Mahanta, the STF made huge inroads in tackling crime. The main work of the STF is not only to keep people safe and secure but also to check larger ramifications of crime at the national and international levels.  The mandate of the STF includes terrorist activities, including those conducted from outside the country; any organized crime prejudicial to internal and national security; the Official Secrets Act; any action against the state, including waging war or attempting to wage war or abetting attempts to wage war against the state or against the government of India; sedition; cybersecurity that is prejudicial to national security; and any other class of offences specified by the state government."

He also stated that since March 1, 2023, after the revival of STF, there was a drive against infiltration by Bangladeshis, and operations against Rohingyas were conducted, which led to the network being broken. Many touts were also apprehended.

Regarding drug smuggling, Harmeet Singh said apprehending small peddlers was important as they distribute drugs to our youth, which affects society as a whole. He asserted that the police have to hit crime networks, and that any crime that hits society will not be allowed to continue.

On the subject of wildlife crime, he said, "All poachers are connected to terrorist groups across the NE; shooters come from Manipur and Nagaland. Overground linkmen here help them. Rhino horns are taken out through Myanmar and sold in the international market, and the money is pumped back into terrorism."

In the STF's operations against Drugs and Narcotics, in the period from October 4, 2008, to February 28, 2023, there was a seizure of 534.25 grams of heroin; 13,920 units of psychotropic tablets/YABA; 320 bottles of Phensedyl cough syrup; and 47.750 kg of ganja.

In comparison to that, from March 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the seized materials included 59 kg, 414.96 grams of heroin; 9,67,898 units of psychotropic tablets/YABA; 37,000 bottles of Phensedyl Cough Syrup; 3,999.681 kg of ganja; 37.26 kg of opium; and 1 kg of methamphetamine.

In the STF's operations against terrorism and extremism, from March 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, 21 extremists were arrested, including 16 jihadi/Islamic extremists (including the ISIS India Chief), 1 Maoist, 1 ULFA-I member, and 3 from Manipur-based extremist groups.

In operations against illegal infiltration, between March 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, 18 infiltrators were apprehended (15 touts, 2 Bangladeshis, 1 Rohingya).

In STF's operations against Wildlife Smuggling, from October 4, 2008, to February 28, 2023, 29 rhino horns, 1 deer antler, and 1 kg of tiger bones were seized.

Between March 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, the seized wildlife parts include 2 rhino horns, 14 ivories, 2 tiger teeth, 15 rhino hooves, 1 deer antler, and 1.792 kg of pangolin scales. Also, 6 poachers/smugglers were arrested.

STF Operations Against Drugs and Narcotics in Guwahati from March 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, there were a total of 152 operations resulting in 264 total arrests.

Also Read: Assam: STF Seize Heroin, Two Drug Peddlers Arrested in Guwahati City

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