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G Vinayak in Guwahati
Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani has assured the Assam Chief Minister that the Centre would take a final decision on the deployment of a 'dedicated force' along the Assam-Bhutan border soon.
The Assam government had been pressing the Centre to seal the 262-km Assam-Bhutan border following two consecutive attacks by the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland from their bases in Bhutan in mid-January, in which at least 32 villagers were killed.
According to state government sources, Advani appreciated the difficulties being faced by the Assam government in dealing with cross border terrorism.
The Assam Chief Minister during his meeting told Advani that the banned NDFB and the United Liberation Front of Asom have their camps in some of the neighbouring countries, and the recent incidents of violence in the state were perpetrated by the NDFB cadres operating from their camps in Bhutan.
He said the militants have been taking full advantage of the hilly terrain along the Assam-Bhutan border to hide after attacks.
He emphasised in the meeting that as long as the Indo-Bhutan border remains unguarded and unprotected the security forces operating in Assam would find it difficult to effectively prevent subversive activities.
Gogoi requested the home minister to take immediate steps for deployment of the Border Security Force or any other dedicated force to guard the Indo-Bhutan border, and demanded at least 60 companies of Central Reserve Police Force for internal security.
He suggested construction of border roads and fencing to deter infiltration of militants. He also stressed the need for initiating diplomatic moves to persuade the neighbouring countries to crack down on the militants who are camping there.
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