ULFA(I) bomb cases: Assam Police has formed multiple special investigation teams across 10 districts where "bomb-like substances" were found after the banned ULFA(I) claimed to have planted explosives at 24 sites to orchestrate serial blasts on Independence Day, a senior official said on Sunday.
Special DGP Harmeet Singh is touring the state and conducting a series of security meetings with police officials in each district following a significant intelligence lapse. This situation has provided the opposition with grounds to demand the "immediate resignation" of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also oversees the Home portfolio.
Special SITs formed
"Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have been formed to investigate the 10 cases where bomb-like substances were found. We are looking forward to the safety and security of the public. Nobody will be spared if found involved in planting the materials," Singh told reporters.
He further said that the SITs will be headed by an additional superintendent of police in each district, under the supervision of the district SP. "In Guwahati, the team will be led by an assistant commissioner of police. The operations will be overseen by either the joint commissioner of police or the commissioner himself," he added.
Police found bomb-like substances from 10 places
Police discovered "bomb-like substances" at several locations, including four in Guwahati, following claims by the banned ULFA (I) that they had planted bombs in 24 places across Assam for Independence Day. Additionally, two "bomb-like" items were recovered from Sivasagar and Lakhimpur, and one each was found in Nagaon and Nalbari.
Singh said, "Our paramount responsibility is to provide safety and security to the people of Assam. The SITs are tasked with conducting a thorough investigation to determine the nature of substances and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."
He said that a review meeting was held during the day in response to the recoveries, where the police discussed and developed the "most effective strategies" for moving forward. "I want to make it unequivocally clear that anyone who attempts to harm the citizens of this state will face consequences," the Special DGP said.
Assam Police announces Rs 5 lakh reward
Earlier on Friday, DGP G P Singh announced a cash reward of up to Rs 5 lakh for credible information leading to the identification of those involved in manufacturing, transportation and planting of the "IED-like devices" in different parts of the state.
In an email purportedly from the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) to media houses, including PTI, the outfit asserted that the bombs did not explode due to "technical failure". ULFA(I) said the blasts were scheduled to take place between 6 am and noon on Thursday but after failure in execution, it sought public cooperation for defusing the explosive devices.
The email, which was sent minutes after the Chief Minister completed his speech on the occasion of 78th Independence Day, prompted the security forces to send multiple teams to all the places mentioned by ULFA(I) to look for explosives along with bomb disposal squads assisted by other central security forces, including the Army.
(With PTI inputs)
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