Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CALCUTTA16
2007-01-10 12:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
ASSAM SITREP - JANUARY 10, 2007
how-toVZCZCXRO4212 PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHCN DE RUEHCI #0016 0101250 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 101250Z JAN 07 FM AMCONSUL CALCUTTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1345 INFO RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 1663 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1235 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0511 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0511 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0320 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0320 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0134 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0211 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0248 RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0055 RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000016
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM ASEC CASC MARR IN BG
SUBJECT: ASSAM SITREP - JANUARY 10, 2007
REF: CALCUTTA 00010
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000016
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM ASEC CASC MARR IN BG
SUBJECT: ASSAM SITREP - JANUARY 10, 2007
REF: CALCUTTA 00010
1. (SBU) On January 9, Defense Minister A K Anthony and Army
Chief J.J. Singh met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and local
Army officials of the 4 Corps in Assam to review the security
situation in the state. There are reports of a mass exodus of
Hindi-speaking migrants from Assam following the violence
unleashed by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) against
primarily Hindi-speaking "outsiders" from mainland India,
killing over 70 people. The Defense Minister said that the
government will be firm in handling the situation, but also will
be open to talks with ULFA, if ULFA is willing to renounce
violence without any pre-conditions. Anthony also said that
ULFA is present in Bangladesh and Burma, and that the government
would take up the issue with both countries. The Center has
dispatched additional security forces to Assam, which are
deployed in Upper Assam for area domination and restoration of
law and order for the time being. On January 8, the Army had
reportedly, deployed 10,000 troops and on January 9, the GOI had
dispatched 12 paramilitary companies (approximately 2500 troops)
and another 8 companies were to follow. GOI military forces
have also increased their presence in the neighboring state of
Arunachal Pradesh to control the movement of ULFA cadres across
state lines.
2. (SBU) ULFA appeared undeterred by the increased military
and security presence and continued with bomb attacks on
security sites in the capital Guwahati. On January 8, two bombs
hidden in bicycles exploded near the Narengi army cantonment in
Guwahati's Satgaon district. 11 people were injured, including
two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. On January
9, the same day of Defense Minister Anthony's meeting with
senior military leaders, a bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded
at the entrance of the police station in Guwahati's high
security, capital district of Dispur, critically injuring two
policemen.
3. (SBU) Comment: The violence in Assam will likely continue
and possibly escalate as ULFA responds to increased security
pressure and seeks to capitalize on the upcoming January 26
Republic Day celebrations and the early-February 33rd Annual
National Games to maximize the impact of its terror tactics.
Defense Minister Anthony said that the security forces would do
whatever it takes to crush ULFA, which in turn presents the
prospect of heavy-handed treatment of the civilian communities
in which ULFA operates. Paramilitary groups such as the Assam
Rifles are notorious for human rights violations and could be
given greater latitude in suppressing ULFA and its perceived
sympathizers. The violence could also spread as ULFA has bases
in neighboring countries and other Northeast Indian states.
Post is clearing a warden message through the Department to warn
AMCITS about the deteriorating situation in Assam.
JARDINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM ASEC CASC MARR IN BG
SUBJECT: ASSAM SITREP - JANUARY 10, 2007
REF: CALCUTTA 00010
1. (SBU) On January 9, Defense Minister A K Anthony and Army
Chief J.J. Singh met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and local
Army officials of the 4 Corps in Assam to review the security
situation in the state. There are reports of a mass exodus of
Hindi-speaking migrants from Assam following the violence
unleashed by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) against
primarily Hindi-speaking "outsiders" from mainland India,
killing over 70 people. The Defense Minister said that the
government will be firm in handling the situation, but also will
be open to talks with ULFA, if ULFA is willing to renounce
violence without any pre-conditions. Anthony also said that
ULFA is present in Bangladesh and Burma, and that the government
would take up the issue with both countries. The Center has
dispatched additional security forces to Assam, which are
deployed in Upper Assam for area domination and restoration of
law and order for the time being. On January 8, the Army had
reportedly, deployed 10,000 troops and on January 9, the GOI had
dispatched 12 paramilitary companies (approximately 2500 troops)
and another 8 companies were to follow. GOI military forces
have also increased their presence in the neighboring state of
Arunachal Pradesh to control the movement of ULFA cadres across
state lines.
2. (SBU) ULFA appeared undeterred by the increased military
and security presence and continued with bomb attacks on
security sites in the capital Guwahati. On January 8, two bombs
hidden in bicycles exploded near the Narengi army cantonment in
Guwahati's Satgaon district. 11 people were injured, including
two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. On January
9, the same day of Defense Minister Anthony's meeting with
senior military leaders, a bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded
at the entrance of the police station in Guwahati's high
security, capital district of Dispur, critically injuring two
policemen.
3. (SBU) Comment: The violence in Assam will likely continue
and possibly escalate as ULFA responds to increased security
pressure and seeks to capitalize on the upcoming January 26
Republic Day celebrations and the early-February 33rd Annual
National Games to maximize the impact of its terror tactics.
Defense Minister Anthony said that the security forces would do
whatever it takes to crush ULFA, which in turn presents the
prospect of heavy-handed treatment of the civilian communities
in which ULFA operates. Paramilitary groups such as the Assam
Rifles are notorious for human rights violations and could be
given greater latitude in suppressing ULFA and its perceived
sympathizers. The violence could also spread as ULFA has bases
in neighboring countries and other Northeast Indian states.
Post is clearing a warden message through the Department to warn
AMCITS about the deteriorating situation in Assam.
JARDINE