With hardly 30 days left for the 33rd edition of National Games to begin in the Assam capital, Union Home Secretary VK Duggal today said security would be reinforced in Guwahati so as to make the mega event safe, smooth and successful as possible. He also denied reports that the government had any intention of handing over the security headache of the Games to the army. “The government has no any intention of deploying army to ensure security in the National Games. There may be some reinforcements as all mega events like the National Games require. But it is normal,” Duggal said. He also dismissed the ULFA threat as “nothing very serious”. “We have noticed the threat issued by the ULFA (to the National Games). But I hope this threat is not serious. Even then, we have to remain prepared,” Duggal said.He said the government would take every possible step in a proactive manner to ensure that the Games will be peaceful. “We will make adequate security arrangements. Security arrangement in fact will be absolutely foolproof,” he added. Over 12,000 sportspersons and officials from all over the country are expected to gather in Guwahati for the National Games.The ULFA had in November said it would not let the National Games take place because it considered holding the Games as another manifestation of the “colonial dominance” of Assam by New Delhi. The threat to disrupt the Games and boycott call, however, was immediately opposed by most people in the state. ULFA talks: The Union Home Secretary also dismissed as unfounded a recent ULFA allegation that New Delhi lacked in sincerity in finding a peaceful solution to its problem. He also dismissed as baseless an accusation made by the ULFA that he (Duggal) was a main hurdle in the peace process.“I have been associated with this peace process for over two years now. I have been interacting with the PCG members as well as a lot of other people regarding the talks. The straightforwardness of the government should not be mistaken for insincerity,” he said. He also told the ULFA to stop extortions and killings. “You cannot keep killing people and extorting money and at the same time also blame the government for being not sincere.”
