Armed forces have heightened security all over Assam on the eve of the 'Raising Day' of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom on Monday fearing strikes by the militant group that has been put on the back foot by the constant pressure from the combined forces of the Army, police and Paramilitary forces.
All public vehicles moving on State Highways have been placed under the scanner by security forces while check posts have been set up on the way to all vital installations and VVIP residential areas to prevent possible a strike by the ULFA, which has of late earned the notoriety of hiring gullible youngsters and criminals to throw grenades at public places and markets.
The police foiled a bid by the ULFA to bomb north-east India's main business hub Fancy Bazar in Guwahati a few days back after it had managed to arrest a 19-year-old ULFA militant entrusted with the task of planting motorcycle bombs in the area. The police recovered two RDX-laden explosive devices from his possession.
The police claimed that the militant, who hails from Udalguri in North Assam, was staying in a rented house in Hatigaon area in the city and assembled the two bombs himself heeding to instructions relayed to him by an explosive expert of the ULFA over his cell phone.
The security forces have banned parking of bicycles in crowded places and along the road used by VIP convoys in the wake of the recovery of a bicycle bomb by Kamrup district a few days back. An ULFA militant was also arrested in this connection with that incident.