Security beefed up in Assam ahead of I-Day celebrations

Guwahati, Aug 13 (ANI): Security has been beefed up in Guwahati after militant groups gave a call to boycott Independence Day celebrations.

The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) sent out an e-mail to local media calling for the boycott and a 15-hour general strike on August 15.

Security personnel have been deployed at public places like railway stations, bus stands, and at the Latasil playground, where the state's official celebrations will take place. Passengers are being frisked at the main Guwahati city station while police personnel have been stationed at all entry and exit points of the city.

"Some organizations like ULFA have given a boycott call. So, in view of all the inputs we have received so far, we have made some fool-proof plans so that nothing goes wrong during the celebrations," said P C Saloi, Senior Superintendent of Police, Guwahati.

Meanwhile, security has also been stepped up in West Bengal following the recurrent strikes and shutdown calls by Maoists in the region.

Bhupinder Singh, Director General of West Bengal Police on Thursday held a meeting with the state police officials and other intelligence officials to assess the situation in the region.

Singh said measures were in place to ensure peaceful celebrations on the Independence Day.

"We face problem and we still are facing some problems in tackling this agitation. We don't want any bloodshed and any kind of nuisance during the Independence Day celebrations," he added. (ANI)