TERRORIST ACTIVITIES IN THE NORTH-EAST
LOK SABHA
There has been a
decrease in the number of violent incidents in North-Eastern States
in the year 2002 as compared to 2001. The Government has entered
into ceasefire agreements with various militant outfits like National
Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah), National Socialist
Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), United Peoples Democratic Solidarity
and Dima Halong Daogah. Government has also signed a memorandum
of Settlement with Bodo Liberation Tigers on the 10th
Febraury, 2003. While this has led to reduced number of incidents
between Security Forces and militant outfits, inter factional
clashes for domination of areas continued.
As per reports
received, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres, targeted
oil and gas installations on the night intervening 7-8th
March, 2003. The militants attacked the Indian Oil Corporation
Refinery at Digboi, Tinsukia district with a Rocket Propelled
Grenade (RPG) causing a devastating fire in one of the tanks.
In another incident, United Liberation front of Asom (ULFA) militants
on 8.3.2003 exploded a wire controlled Improvised Explosive Device
(IED) damaging two gas pipelines of IOC at Kathalguri, Dibrugarh
district.
The Minister
of State for Home, Shri I.D. Swami told the Lok Sabha in a written
reply that the Government of Assam has been requested to take
steps to strengthen the security measures at oil and gas installations
and other sensitive places in Assam as also to apprehend the anti-national
elements behind these incidents. The Government is committed to
provide all assistance to North-Eastern States including deployment
of Central Para-military Forces to meet the challenges posed by
the insurgents, he said.
