Republic Day was celebrated amid tight security across the northeastern region in the backdrop of a boycott call given by five insurgent groups,including the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). No untoward incident was,however,reported from any state of the region. Guwahati witnessed unprecedented security,especially in view of apprehensions of terror strikes,with Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur stating that the state was facing gravest threats from a section of anti-national elements that had the support of groups based outside India. He,however,refrained from naming any country,Bangladesh or Pakistan,in this regard. The past year saw a number of violent incidents which shook the state. The gravest threats to the state and its people are from the activities of a section of anti-national elements within the country,which are operating with support from organisations based outside the country, said Mathur after hoisting the national flag here. Mathur said the state Government was committed to fighting the anti-national forces and secure peace and stability to its citizens. He also claimed that the Governments policy to initiate a dialogue with rebel groups had paid definite dividends with several outfits signing ceasefire agreements and 648 militants laying down arms in the past one year.
