Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 17, 2001
Alarmed by reports of possible infiltration
by ISI-backed Osama Bin Laden supporters to create communal tension, the
Assam police have alerted police stations across the state to step up vigil
and watch out for trouble.
"We have reliable intelligence inputs
that efforts are being made to export a group of highly-motivated Muslim
fundamentalists carrying photographs of Laden into Assam. They have plans
to cross over through the Indo-Bangla border in Karimganj district of Assam,"
inspector general of police (law and order) B. P. Rao, said.
The police official pointed out:
"Following the general alert that was sounded, we were able to seize a
cassette that was meant for circulation in the char (riverine island) areas,
containing highly inflammatory anti-Indian speeches, from Dhubri district.
Of course, it had nothing to do with Laden, but then, this is a very disturbing
trend and a matter of concern."
Assam has approximately more than
thirty per cent Muslims, many of whom are immigrants.
Earlier, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind
president Maulana Syed Asad Madani has been reported giving a call to Muslims
in the state to "unite for jehad" in view of the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan.
According to Mr Rao, processions
have also been taken out by Muslim supporters of Laden in certain areas
of trouble-torn Nalbari district. "They have also splashed posters eulogising
Laden. "This is a very emotive issue for some people. On the other hand,
counter demonstrations had been organised by rival groups - certain Hindu
organisations, to be precise, against Laden," he said.
The police official said: "Even
though it is not illegal to splash posters of anybody, we will have to
intervene if there is opposition from other groups, which might culminate
in communal tensions. In fact, we need to be very careful while handling
such issues and hence, all possible measures are being taken from our end
in this direction."
