Why Assam CM Himanta unfurling national flag on R-Day in Dibrugarh, once an ULFA stronghold, is significant

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X: “Dibrugarh is all set to host the Central Republic Day celebrations for the first time and the town is all decked up in Tricolour to celebrate the spirit of the Republic. From being affected by militancy to now hosting full scale Republic Day celebrations, it has come a long way.”

To prepare for the event, security arrangements began in Dibrugarh a month ago.

Promise made. Promise delivered.

Tweeting this from Dibrugarh where I will unfurl the Tiranga in a short while from now. 🇮🇳 https://t.co/FcZkEEhvtv

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 26, 2025

“The manning of inter-district boundaries to check for suspicious movement, including of riverine routes, began around Christmas. Patrolling of trains is also being done by both the Railways Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP),” said Dibrugarh SP V V Rakesh Reddy.

Like previous years, ULFA(I) – a militant group that demands sovereignty for Assam – has called for a “total strike” from midnight to 6 pm on Sunday.

Just five months ago, ULFA(I) claimed to have planted 24 bombs across Assam to cause serial blasts on Independence Day. Several these “bombs”, which had not ignition or triggering mechanisms, were found after the group disclosed their locations.

SP Reddy said police are being assisted in security arrangements by the Army and the CRPF and that approximately 400 personnel from other districts have been bought in to bolster security.

“All garbage and construction material lying around is being cleared and sanitised in the town area for anti-sabotage checking. The a three-km area around the main venue, which is the parade ground, is being continuously checked and we have also done house-to-house surveys in this area to check for any new or suspicious people. And there is security checking all along the route to the venue,” he said.