The exchange of barbs between Assam Director General of Police (DGP) G P Singh and outlawed insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-I) continued Friday with the top cop claiming he would resist anyone trying to threaten peace in the northeastern state.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, the DGP said, “Like I said before, I shall resist anyone who tries to stop the journey of the development of Assam and shall take all legal actions. My commitment is completely to the development of Assam, and I’ll follow the directions of the government. The government is paying me a salary and the government’s direction is very clear that Assam has to be kept peaceful. That is what the Assam Police will do…”
DGP Singh also said the state police have freed one lakh bigha encroached land in the last 2.5 years.
“A major problem of Assam was said to be illegal immigration from Bangladesh and land encroachment. I have freed one lakh bigha land from encroachment in the last 2.5 years… At one point, they (insurgents) had put up camps in Bangladesh and spread disturbance in Assam. Many of them have relatives in Bangladesh. Now people will have to decide whether freeing lakhs of bigha from illegal Bangladeshi settlers is important, or them (ULFA-I) putting up camps in Bangladesh. The people of Assam will answer this,” DGP Singh said.
Singh also said the state police and security personnel have taken stringent steps against drug peddlers and seized drugs worth Rs 1,500 crore in the last two years.
“The origin of these drugs is in Myanmar in most cases. Those who threaten me with disturbing peace in Assam have camps in Myanmar…” the Assam top cop said.
He further said the state police have brought down the number of rhino poaching cases to zero, adding that the poachers have links to Myanmar or China.
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DGP Singh’s comments come close on the heels of a challenge from the ULFA-I, wherein the latter dared Singh to move around without security cover in Guwahati city for a week. The dare came after Singh challenged the insurgents to feel free to target him.
Meanwhile, DGP Singh also warned those contemplating to join insurgent groups. He posted on X, formerly Twitter, “Anyone willing to join or support any terrorist group banned by the government will be arrested and prosecuted according to law. Please be careful about what you write about banned organizations on social media…”
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
