Army operation for now in Asom, talk later: Gogoi

Guwahati, Jan 10: Army troops have begun simultaneous combing operations in Asom and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya against the banned ULFA, which already killed 66 people and caused exodus of migrant labourers from the state.

Official sources confirmed the simultaneous army operations in three states.

''There will be talk but for now there will be army operation'' said Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who met Defence Minister A.K.

Antony and Army Chief Gen JJ Singh at Tezpur last night.

The Government also stuck to the original schedule of the National Games, starting exactly a month from now.

''First, hit them, whatever it takes'' was the curt reply of the Defence Minister at Tezpur. ''Talk yes but first beat their challenge'' he said, before leaving for New Delhi.

In Guwahati, peace initiator Mamoni Roisom Goswami, PCG leader Arup Borbora and former BSF DG Ranjit Musahary, however, urged for restrait.

''There were already 15,000 deaths, arrests or surrenders of ULFA cadres in past 15 years since the beginning of the first Army operation. Could that finish ULFA? More operation would bring in more ULFA cadre. We should have given peace another chance'' said Dr Goswami, a sentiment echoed by the other two.

But Centre and state government are firm on carrying the offensive against the group as they felt that the ULFA was given enough chances in the past seven months to come to the negotiating table.

''Now they (ULFA rebels) must face the challenge. There will be full scale operation'' Mr Gogoi asserted.

''We gave them 42 days ceasefire. We thought they would come to some sort of decision for talks. Instead they regrouped and replenished their arms stock'' he said.

The army, however, strategically did not name the fresh operation but just announced it as a continuation of the Operation Rhino-II, which was launched last year.

Asom Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh had played a key role in the Operation Bajrang against the terror, but he was later asked to back off when the army was about to wipe out the top leadership of the militant group. Meanwhile, Union Fertiliser Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today visited Duliajan and Naharkatia areas of Dibrugarh and met the fear-stricken people there. He assured them the army was operating against the perpetrators.

Mr Gogoi is expected to fly to New Delhi tomorrow for a crucial December 12 meeting at North Block to be presided over by the Union Home Minister where the Army and the State Government will give the stamp of approval to the blue print, prepared by the IB, to tackle terrorism in Asom.

''Besides the existing strength, almost two battalions consisting 1800 troops have been pulled out of the lower Asom and are being moved to Upper Asom with more emphasis on Arunachal Pradesh border region, which is suspected to have hideouts of the ULFA'' said a senior army source, who was in the review meeting at Tezpur.

Asserting the need for operation, Mr Gogoi noted ULFA had been given two chances. Even now we are ready to release the jailed leaders if they fulfil our conditions'' he said.

About 20 paramilitary companies have reached Upper Asom and the deployment has started. The strategy was to use para-military forces and Asom Police as ground forces leaving Army for specific strike against the rebels.

Upper Asom, in general, has been peaceful full since yesterday as there were no reports of any untoward incidents There were reports of some food shortage in Tinsukia area where the curfew was on for the fourth day today.

As a whole, both Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts where situations were gradually becoming normal. But many villagers also apprehending army excess specially before the Magh Bihu celebration, which is beginning from Saturday.

UNI

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