Guwahati: Indian Army chief Gen. Dalbir Singh yesterday reviewed the security situation in Assam in the aftermath of the gory killings by Bodo militants, as security forces intensified operations along the international border with Bhutan.
Singh said he would continue to maintain a close watch on the region.
An army spokesman said Singh headed to the army base in Rangia from the Guwahati airport and reviewed the situation with top commanders.
He was given an overview of the current status of operations, including measures taken to improve the larger security milieu in Assam.
General Singh also reviewed the deployment of 66 army columns in the disturbed areas, after the violence unleashed by Bodo militants left 73 people dead and rendered over 70,000 homeless in the four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Sonitpur and Udalguri.
“He was briefed on the proactive actions undertaken by the army along with agencies to intensify pressure against the militant outfits,” a defence spokesperson said in a statement.
Singh interacted with commanders in the field to obtain a first-hand perspective of the operations, and undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the strife-torn areas.
He expressed satisfaction over the steps taken at all levels, and asked for greater synergy with the central and state intelligence and security agencies.
“The general took note of the road map being planned by the army with police and directed his troops to extend all possible support to the state administration in bringing back normalcy, while carrying out operations against the perpetrators of terror,” it said.
The army has intensified operations along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh inter-state border and the border with Bhutan in the aftermath of the massacre by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland.
Singh had on Friday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi over the situation.
The central government has sent 50 companies of additional forces, including those from Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force to control the situation.
Although there has been no fresh incident of violence since Tuesday’s killings, the exodus of people continued in the districts.
Assam Police sources said the Bhutan border had been sealed and a special operation might be launched against militants from the northeast hiding there.
The State Disaster Management Authority said over 70,000 people had taken shelter in 77 relief camps in the affected districts. IANS
