GUWAHATI, June 29 ? A favourable terrain and lack of adequate security cover make the two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills favourite hunting grounds for the militant outfits, admitted the Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Sri Sibabrata Kakati. Talking to The Assam Tribune, Sri Kakati said that almost all the militant outfits of the State have their bases in Karbi Anglong district. He expressed the view that for a long-term solution to the problem of insurgency in the hill districts, the network of police stations must be improved as at present, Karbi Anglong district has only six police stations, while, the NC Hills district has three full-fledged police stations. He admitted that it is impossible for such a small police force to deal with the situation in the hill district, while, the terrain adds to the problems of the force. However, as a short-term measure, combing operations are launched by the police, army and central para-military forces from time to time to keep the insurgents on the run.
Commenting on the recent spurt of violence in Karbi Anglong, the IGP said that most of the incidents took place in the Dimasa dominated areas and are suspected to be the handiwork of the Dima Halong Daogah (DHD). He said that at one point of time, the DHD used to operate jointly with the NSCN (I-M). But of late, the outfit is mainly operating on its own after some misunderstanding with the NSCN over sharing of the money collected through extortion. The DHD is also extorting money from cross-sections of people including railway employees by taking advantage of the lack of adequate security cover in the hill districts, while, some splinter group of the outfit is also indulging in extortion, he admitted.
Though one faction of militant outfit United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) has come forward for talks with the Government, the anti-talk faction of the outfit is still quite active in Karbi Anglong and according to information available with the police, doctors are feeling insecure as they have become the prime targets of the UPDS? extortion drive. The IGP (Law and Order) said that militant outfits like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) would definitely try their best to prevent the anti-talk faction of the UPDS from coming forward for talks as in that case these outfits would lose their shelter in the hill district.