234 ultras from Muslim groups in Assam jails

8220;These militants have been arrested over a period of seven to eight years, and several of them were involved in cases of sabotage and treason,8221; Rockybul Hussain, the Assam Minister for Forests and Environment, told the Assembly on behalf of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the Home portfolio.

Hussain said there was strong evidence that a number of these militants had been to Pakistan and Bangladesh and undergone training in arms. 8220;The Government has information that these groups recruit young boys from the districts of Dhubri, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Karimganj, Cachar, Hailakandi, Nalbari, Nagaon and Darrang and send them out for training in Bangladesh and Pakistan,8221; the minister said.

Hussain admitted that the SIMI too was active in Assam, but added that no member of the group had been arrested so far in the state. 8220;While the Government had banned SIMI in 2001, there is information that the group is still active in Assam,8221; Hussain told the House.