Evidence of ULFA instigating protest in upper Asom: Police

Guwahati, May 25 (UNI) The outlawed ULFA has threatened people to launch protests against security forces in upper Asom, police sources said today.

A week after the nine-day agitation launched by villagers at Tinsukia against the killing of an 'innocent civilian' during an alleged encounter on May six, a top police official told UNI there was ample evidence that ULFA cadres threatened villagers of dire consequences if they did not intensify the agitation.

The nine-day national highway blockade staged by villagers at Rupai Siding near Doomdooma had adversely affected communication and supply of essential commodities to the four districts of Arunachal Pradesh, the secluded Sadiya subdivision in upper Asom as well as some interior places in Tinsukia.

At least five civilians were killed and several others injured during a clash between different ethnic communities, propelling the administration to impose curfew in trouble-torn areas.

''After a series of reverses since the last few months, the ULFA is bent on bringing into play the human rights angle for its survival. In the latest instance, the ULFA took advantage of the killing by intimidating the villagers to launch a campaign against the security forces in Tinsukia,'' the police official said.

About 50 ULFA rebels have been killed by security forces and over 300 others either apprehended or forced to surrender during the last five months.

The official said inquiries revealed that ULFA rebels assaulted villagers with sticks and even threatened them at gunpoint in areas like Kakopathar, Dirak and Mohong to participate in the protest.

These places, mostly remote, are known to be safe havens of the outfit.

''With this, the ULFA wants to instigate the people against the police and Army and mount pressure on them,'' the official said.

The ULFA been demanding the withdrawal of the Army from the state.

Similar protests were also witnessed after the killing of a resident of Dirak Chariali in Kakopathar, Ajit Mahanta, on February 8, 2004.

At least eight people were killed and several others injured when security forces resorted to lathicharge and firing to control protesting villagers, who went on a rampage, blocking roads, damaging vehicles and attacking security personnel near Lajum police station.

UNI