Army to launch fresh operation in Lower Assam

GUWAHATI, April 30: In view of the stepped up activities of the insurgent groups, the Operational Group of the Unified Command today decided to deploy about 300 columns of the security forces in the State during the election this time. The Operational Group, which met at Narengi today under the presidentship of GOC 4 Corps Lt Gen Mahesh Vij, discussed in detail the steps required to check interference of militants in the election process and thus to create an atmosphere of safety for the people at large to exercise their franchise freely. The meeting also worked out the methods to optimise the resources and decided to send large reinforcements of Army and Paramilitary forces to the sensitive areas. Meanwhile, highly-placed official sources said that Army has decided to launch a fresh operation in Nalbari, Barpeta and Bongaigaon districts in view of spurt in activities of the militant groups. Asked how militant groups were operating despite Unified Command operation, sources revealed that a good number of cadres of the banned outfit had sneaked into the state from Bhutan with an eye to indulge in violence during Assembly election. "The cadres are divided into small groups to target the AGP workers," sources said, adding "we have intensified our vigilance along the Indo-Bhutan border."