Author: Nirendra Dev
in Guwahati
Publication: Rediff
on Net
Date: November 27, 2000
Emergence of Islamic
fundamentalism has given a totally new twist to the security scenario in
Assam with a large section of the disgruntled Muslim population being lured
by over a dozen militant groups, says Chief Minister P K Mahanta.
"The Inter Services Intelligence
has managed to infiltrate into Assam a number of its agents in the guise
of imams. Intelligence input indicates that Jamaat-e-Islami of both
Pakistan and Bangladesh are maintaining close clandestine links with Muslim
militant organisations operating in Assam," says a paper released by Chief
Minister Mahanta to a group of journalists.
The paper, prepared by
the Special Branch of the state police, says that apart from giving moral
support, Jamaat-e-Islami of both the countries are secretly funding Muslim
militant groups to carry out 'nefarious designs'.
The activities got a
further boost as insurgent groups, including United Liberation Front of
Asom, were in search of 'safe havens' in Bangladesh once the army cracked
down on them.
As a result, a host of
Muslim fundamentalists organisations have come to stay. These include
the Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (formed in 1993), Student
Islamic Movement of India (1993 - operating both in Assam and Manipur),
Muslim Volunteers Force (Barpeta area), Tiger Liberation Front of Assam
(1992 - Hajoi), Islamic Revolutionary Army, Saddam Vahini (1991), Islamic
Sevak Sangh (1991 - Kamrup district).
According to Mahanta,
"The arrest of four Pakistanis also revealed the role of Pakistan's dreaded
outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in Assam." Some youth trained by this group
have already been deployed in the region, he said.
Mahanta claims the Assam
police are in possession of evidence which show that the ULFA top leadership
is in close contact with certain officials of the Pakistani High Commission
in Dhaka.
Another adverse result
of Islamic fundamentalists-militants nexus is the change in the demographic
pattern of the state. Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Sinha asserts that the
reason why 'ULFA maintained thundering silence' on Bangladeshi influx is
'obvious'.
In fact, even surrendered
ULFA cadres seem to echo the line. Abhinash Bordoloi, a formerly
lieutenant and area commander in Goalpara area, says "No Bangladeshi was
ever attacked. ULFA could take no step against Bangladeshi immigration
and that is going to leave us nowhere," he says.
Mahanta has called for
a new and more stringent legislation to deal with the ISI and foreign mercenaries.
"Under the present laws, these miscreants often seek bail and run away,"
he says.
