Guwahati: A week after Union home ministry’s alert, Assam director-general of police Mukesh Shahay on Tuesday said that in the wake of demonetisation of old currencies of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 rupees, militant outfits in the state have been trying to exchange old currency, but security forces are keeping a close watch on them.
Informing that a dealer of petroleum product was arrested on charges of exchanging old currencies belonging to Ulfa(I) in Sibsagar, Mr Shahy said that income-tax department was also keeping a close watch on any clandestine exchange of old currency.
Mr Shahay, however, was of view that vigilance in some of the neighbouring states was not enough. “There is every possibility of ultras taking advantage of situation,” he said, adding that the Assam police has requested the neighbouring states also to intensify vigil on large transaction of money.
Pointing out that unified command of security forces would also be meeting soon to review its strategy against the insurgent groups, he said that the Ulfa(I) and NDFB(S) don’t have striking capability but to make their presence felt, they are joining hands with insurgent groups of neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, security forces have launched a massive manhunt in Upper Assam districts to nab the ultras. Mr Shahay himself was camping in Tinsukia to supervise the counter-insurgency operations after three army soldiers were killed by Ulfa(I) rebels.
Security sources, keeping a close watch on movement of ultras in the state, said that Assam was the victim of poor security scenario of the neighbouring states.
Taking the advantage of thin presence of security forces along the inter-state borders, militants sneak into Assam from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, security sources said.
Pointing out that steps have been taken to increase the coordination between the neighbouring states, security sources said that Assam Police was in touch with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and sharing real time intelligence to check their movement.
