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| India-Pakistan |
| Ulfa threatens to attack Indian forces |
| 2010-01-07 |
| [Bangla Daily Star] The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) yesterday threatened to attack security forces and vital installations in Assam ahead of India's Republic Day. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station and other sensitive locations in Mumbai Wednesday following a threat to carry out explosions this afternoon, officials said. An anonymous threat call to carry out blasts in at least half a dozen locations was received by the Mumbai police control around 7.30 am Wednesday. The caller threatened to blow up around half a dozen targets -- which he did not specify -- just after noon yesterday, officials said. The railway and security authorities at CST were alerted and the entire station complex -- a World Heritage Building -- shifted to a high security gear. Confirming the developments, an official spokesperson for Central Railways (CR) said: 'We are taking all possible precautions, making announcements, deploying the dog squad and sufficient security personnel to ensure there is no untoward incident.' He said there was no panic among the three million plus commuters who use the CR services daily. Besides CST, security has been tightened at various locations, including the famed Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, some five star hotels, Churchgate and Dadar railway stations. 'We are going to step up our offensive and target security forces and other vital installations,' self-styled Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah said in an e-mailed statement. Titled 'new guidelines and instructions', the rebel statement also warned of action against Assam Police personnel and informers. 'We are not going to spare those who act as informers to pass on inputs to the security forces,' the Ulfa leader said. The rebel statement also threatened action against 'intellectuals' who are anti-Ulfa. 'We shall identify the intellectuals and first warn them and then take action on such people,' the statement said. The elusive separatist leader also threatened to take action on corrupt officials. 'Government officials who are corrupt would be dealt with sternly,' the statement said. The Ulfa statement also asked people to capture and punish anybody who triggers bomb blasts. The Ulfa and other militant groups in Assam and other parts of the northeast are known to step up violent acts ahead of national celebrations like Republic Day and Independence Day. |
| Posted by:Fred |