Admitting security lapses, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday (January 1) directed security forces to intensify operations against militants in the wake of three bomb blasts in the state capital that left five dead and maimed scores.
Asked whether the blasts were the result of intelligence failure, he told reporters: “I do not say failure but lapses are there.” “No country can provide 100 per cent security and we don’t have the best intelligence,” Gogoi said. “We need to improve and strengthen our police force apart from ensuring its modernisation,” he said. Asked whether the blasts were timed with Chidambaram’s visit to the state capital, the Chief Minister said “no”. Gogoi favoured creation of an NSG hub in Guwahati. The Chief Minister said the needle of suspicion for the blasts pointed towards ULFA. Gogoi also briefed Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on the law and order situation in the state at a meeting at the Raj Bhawan.
The Chief Minister, who visited the blast sites, said he was shocked at the inhuman and cowardly act of militants on the New Year day. “We have hoped to usher in peace in the New Year, but the blasts have forced us to intensify operations against the militants. I urge people to come forward and fight against these forces unitedly,” he said. Gogoi directed health authorities to provide all possible help to the injured undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the city.
Alleging that Bangladesh was providing shelter to ULFA and other militant outfits like NDFB, Gogoi asked Chidambaram to take up the matter with the new dispensation, headed by Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina, there. He said he was 100% sure that India would put diplomatic pressure on Bangladesh not to give shelter to insurgents. Gogoi said Chidambaram told him it was a “good signal” that Hasina had come to power in Bangladesh.
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