Army Chief visits Assam, directs troops to step up operations against NDFB(S)

Guwahati: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Saturday took stock of the situation in Assam even as security forces intensified their operation along the Bhutan border in the aftermath of gory killings by NDFB(S) militants.

General Suhag reviewed the deployment of Army in those areas of Assam where NDFB(S) militants killed over 70 people, and examined the blueprint for deployment of additional forces in the region.

The Army Chief arrived here this morning and reviewed the current status of operations and various measures taken to improve the security scenario in the state, a defense spokesperson said.

He directed his field commanders to enhance the intensity of operations against those responsible for the carnage and assured additional support for renewed focus on operations.

The Army Chief also interacted with various commanders in the field to obtain a first-hand perspective of the area-domination operations.

He directed the troops to extend all possible support to the state administration in bringing back normalcy and at the same time carry out relentless operations against the perpetrators of terror.

He was also briefed on the pro-active actions undertaken by the Army along with different agencies to intensify the pressure on the militant outfits.

He expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by the commanders at all levels and asked for greater synergy with the central and state intelligence and security agencies.

He assured the troops that he would continue to maintain a close watch on the dynamics in the region.

He thereafter undertook an aerial survey of the strife-torn areas of the state along with the officers leading the operations.

The Army Chief later left for Delhi.

The Army has intensified counter-insurgency operations and area domination in all the violence-affected areas to stabilise the situation.

The commanders are keeping a close watch on the ground situation and reviews are being carried out dynamically to deal with the situation, a defence spokesman said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to the state on Thursday had said the government would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards the terrorists, while Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had asked the Unified Command to prepare a time-bound road map to eliminate terror groups such as NDFB (S) and start intensified operations.

There was no report of any fresh violence and the total death toll in the recent attacks and police firing stands at 81.

An estimated 72,675 persons in the four affected districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Sonitpur and Udalguri have taken shelter in 61 relief camps, CEO of Assam State Disaster Management Authority PK Tiwary said.

In Kokrajhar district, approximately 40,000 inmates are living in 36 relief camps, in Chirang 14,920 inmates in 11 camps, in Sonitpur, 9,650 inmates are in nine relief camps and in Udalguri 8,105 inmates are in five relief camps.

(With agency inputs)