Panic prevailed among the Hindi-speaking people of Upper Assam districts following a threat of outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom to target “Indians” in retaliation of alleged killing of two youths in a fake encounter by security forces.
Referring the killing of two youths in an encounter by security forces, the in-charge of the publicity wing of Ulfa, Arunodoi Dohutia, said, “Indians will have to face the consequences of such killings”.
The statement sent on email alleged that following the directives of the Centre, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi was involved in killing of innocent Assamese people.
The separatist Ulfa has always been identifying the Hindi-speaking population of the state as “Indians” and the statement of Ulfa has created fear among such vulnerable population which have been facing the onslaught of the separatist outfits in past also.
Though, organisations of Hindi speaking people refrained from giving reaction but admitted that Ulfa was pointing finger towards them by threatening to target “Indians”.
The pro-talks faction of Ulfa, led by its chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa, was also silent over the threat of elusive Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah to “Indians” but peace-negotiator and prominent intellectual Hiren Gohain condemned the Ulfa threat.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have alerted the security forces asking to intensify security in areas inhabited by Hindi-speaking people in Upper Assam districts.
However, security has been tightened in areas inhabited by Hindi-speaking people as the outfit had threatened to target “Indians” if security forces continue to kill innocent Assamese youths.
IGP L.R. Bishnoi said that special security arrangements have been made in all the pockets where Hindi-speaking people live.
SP (Tinsukia) Diganta Bora told reporters that the village development party has been asked to remain on alert in all areas resided by Hindi-speaking people.
Security sources told this newspaper that they have pointed out some of the pockets vulnerable to militant attacks in the near future. In an obvious attempt to make their presence felt, elusive Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah was asking his armed cadres to target Hindi-speaking population of the state.