Army Chief to review situation in violence-hit Assam

Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Saturday reviewed the security situation in Assam, and instructed his troops to carry out relentless operations against insurgents following the attack by Bodo militants on tribals

The Centre, meanwhile, asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the recent killings by the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, or the NDFB(S).

The Army chief, who reached Guwahati, sought greater synergy between Central and state intelligence and security agencies, as he was given an overview of the current status of operations against the militants, who had massacred over 80 tribals in the Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts earlier this week.

He was also briefed on the proactive action undertaken by the Army along with different agencies to intensify pressure on the militant outfit.

Singh also examined the blueprint for the employment of accretional forces being deployed in the sector, according to agencies.

The Army chief interacted with various commanders in the field to obtain a first-hand perspective of the area-domination operations. He subsequently made an aerial survey of the strife-torn areas of the state, with the officers leading the operations.
Exhorting his field commanders to enhance the intensity of the operations, the Army chief said he would continue to maintain a close watch on the dynamics in the region.

In New Delhi, the Union Home Ministry directed the NIA to take up the investigation of four cases registered by the Assam Police pertaining to the NDFB(S) attacks in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar.

The order came a day after the Assam government wrote to the Centre recommending that the investigation be handed over to the NIA.

“Considering the gravity of the offences and the relevant factors, the Central government is of the opinion that the attacks are scheduled offences under the NIA Act, 2008, and hence should be probed by it,” said an official statement.