The home ministry is extremely worried about the presence of more than 500 illegal weapons in the hands of pro-talk faction of militant outfits and former rebels in Assam.
Disclosing that security agencies have assessed the availability of at least 150-160 sophisticated weapons, which includes AK series rifles and pistols, authoritative security sources in the home ministry told this newspaper that a gang of nearly 120 former rebels are acting as private militia of Bodo leaders. Security agencies are of view that the private militia of Bodo leaders identify themselves discreetly as Bodo Royal Tiger Force.
Pointing out that recovery Beretta pistols of Italy and sophisticated HK33 rifles from Bodo rebels has set the alarm bell ringing, security sources said that these recoveries by security forces also corroborate the apprehension of security agencies about Bodo rebels procuring arms.
Referring the recovery of AK-56 rifle, which was used for robbery in Guwahati from top pro-talk Ulfa leader Hira Sarania, security sources said that pro-talks faction of militant outfits are holding in between 400-600 weapons in their possession.
Indicating that the ministry has advised the state government to serve ultimatum to pro-talk faction of militant outfits to deposit their weapons within a stipulated timeframe, sources said that the ministry is not opposed to the idea of carrying out surgical operations to flush out illegal arms in possession of pro-talks faction of Ulfa, DHD, NDFB, and other militant outfits of the state.
Fearing that illegal weapons are not only a threat to the safety of common man, sources said that the presence of weapons was also vitiating the atmosphere of the state as many leaders of pro-talk faction of militant outfits are carrying out extortion and trying to control and form illegal syndicates of traders in the state.