More security for Assam projects

The Union Government has decided to strengthen security in Assam amid growing concerns over the impact of militancy on development projects in the state.

The Union Government has decided to strengthen security in Assam amid growing concerns over the impact of militancy on development projects in the state. These include crucial railway and highway projects.

A meeting chaired by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta on Thursday discussed the measures that needed to be put in place. The railway gauge conversion for Lumding-Badarpur project and the National Highways Authority of India8217;s East West Corridor project in the North Cachar Hills were two major projects that figured in the discussions, officials said after the meeting.

Both projects have posed security challenges in view of militant threats and attacks on work sites. The multi-crore Lumding-Badarpur gauge conversion project that has been declared a national project by the Centre has been plagued by militant attacks and extortion threats to contractors working along the route. Several persons, including railway employees, security personnel and workers have been killed in militant strikes.

The highway development project has been facing similar hurdles, particularly in the North Cachar Hills region, with members of the Black Widow faction of Dima Halam Daogah allegedly attacking work sites and demanding money from contractors.

Security for the 201 km, Rs 1,500 crore gauge conversion project launched in 1996-97 had been strengthened last year by deploying additional personnel from the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force. The state Government has been trying to boost this further by deploying ex-servicemen at sensitive work sites. The railway project passes through militancy-affected Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hill districts.

The Suspension of Operations agreements between the Centre and extremist groups, particularly the NDFB, was also reviewed at Thursday8217;s meeting. The meeting also looked at the action taken after Cabinet Secretary8217;s visit to the state in February this year. Senior officials from the state administration and police attended the meeting.