PM to visit violence-torn Asom tomorrow

Dibrugarh, Jan 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is arriving here tomorrow to visit the violence-affected areas of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh district.

Addressing a news conference here, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the Army had intensified its operation and had some ''good catches''. Mr Gogoi said the situation was under control, ''but we cannot be complacent. ULFA is on the run but we cannot lower our guard. Extra forces have arrived and the state now has 140 para military companies beside 10,000 additional troops of Army jawans. '' Dr Singh would take stock of the situation at the airport itself with senior civil and Army officials before heading for the affected areas, which includes a refugee camp at Sakolia near Moran, where about 700 inmates have taken shelter.

Though extra forces had arrived but as a stop-gap measure effort was on to raise a force comprising the ex-servicemen till vacancing in the Asom Police was filled up, the Chief Minister said.

Mr Gogoi informed that the ''good catches'' made by the Army were vital. without divulging much, he said the operation would get a boost from the information divulged by these ''catches''.

Although he did not specify, it was officially known these arrests include mid-level ULFA leaders and top linkman, who were actually operating in Upper Asom with complete impunity for the past few months, making life miserable for the security agencies.

'' Our policy is to intensify the operation and try for peace. But unfortunately all the indications of ULFA have been negative so far.

If they stop violence and come to negotiation table, the operation would be suspended next day, '' he reiterated.

Regarding the failed peace process, he said it failed to make much headway.

The Chief Minister, however, said the door was not completely closed.

He made it clear that he would personally supervise the Army operation. '' I am responsible for the Army operation and I shall decide the policy. The experts of Army and the police will decide the nitty-gritties, '' averred the Chief Minister.

Mr Gogoi also handed over cheques of Rs three lakh to the families of Dinesh Das of Naoholia and Ajay Mahato of Moran.

Each of the 61 Hindi-speaking affected families would get Rs five lakh each, Rs three lakh from the state government and another Rs two lakh from the Centre, said Asom Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma, who was also present in the press conference.

Altogether 7000 people were displaced by the series of violence of which only 700 had been left in the Sokolia relief camp near Moran, where the Prime Minister would visit.

The Prime Minister will visit Sadiya and Moran of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh district before addressing a news conference at the Mohanabari airport of Dibrugarh.

He will be accompanied by National Security adviser M K Narynanan.

UNI