'Safe haven' of terrorists in Myanmar biggest threat to Assam: CM Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said the "safe haven" of insurgent groups in Myanmar was the biggest threat to the state and the region.

"The safe haven in Myanmar is the number one threat for us, followed by the same in Bangladesh. In the recently held security meeting with the Union Home minister, I had said that the safe haven should be destroyed to provide security to the North-East," Gogoi said at a press conference on Guwahati.

"All major groups and their factions, including ULFA (I) NSCN(K), NDFB(S), KLO and KPLT, have their bases in forests of Myanmar," he said.

"In the recent attack by ULFA(I) on the innocent people in Tinsukia, the diktat (rpt) diktat came from the camps of Myanmar. I request the Centre to strengthen the security along the border with Myanmar and operations should continue in full-swing," Gogoi said.

Talking about ULFA(I) Chief Paresh Barua's reported threats to people coming from different states, the chief minister said "nobody bows down to his threat nowadays. We have been receiving his threats all along. The state and central governments will not allow killings to happen."

On Barua's reported denial of involvement in the Tinsukia attack,the chief minister said "we have (rpt) have confirmed that ULFA(I) is behind the attack. It is the most cowardice, inhuman and heinous act to kill innocent civilians. We are going in a big way to catch the culprits."

Referring to the police lathicharge on protesters against the Tinsukia killings in which one agitator died, Gogoi said the people got agitated because of the heinous act of the terrorists and police had to use lathis to control the mob.

"We express our deep sorrow for the death. We'll definitely provide compensation to the family," Gogoi said.

But, the chief minister said, there was also lapses on the part of the Superintendent of Police of Tinsukia (rpt) Tinsukia.

Gogoi also said he had spoken to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought additional forces, which was promised to be delivered soon.