Source: The Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Aug 10 – With the possibility of attacks from militants not being ruled out, security in all the airports as well as the vital oil installations in the northeastern region have been beefed up and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed in those places have been kept on high alert.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, highly placed security sources said that there is no specific input as of now about any move by militants to target any of the airports in the Northeast, but the threat perception cannot be overlooked as any such attack would attract worldwide attention.
Sources revealed that major airports in the country, particularly those in the metropolitan cities, have been kept under maximum alert, not only because of the ensuing Independence Day celebrations, but also because of the fact that there have been inputs from time to time about possible ultra attacks.
Security sources asserted that the airports in India are comparatively much more secured than those in most other countries, barring those in the United States of America as strict security procedures are followed to prevent any untoward incident.
On the security measures adopted in the airports in the Northeast, sources said that in addition to maintaining the standard protocol, surveillance is also kept on the visitors. All the airports are under CCTV surveillance and a close watch on the CCTV footage is being maintained round the clock. The CISF is also maintaining a close coordination with the state police forces and intelligence agencies so that any input about any attempt by ultras can be obtained and necessary action can be taken immediately.
Sources asserted that there is no shortage of manpower to guard the airports of the region and all leaves of the personnel of the force are restricted up to the end of this month. “We cannot divulge the number of personnel deployed in the airports because of security reasons, but we can assure all passengers that all possible measures have been taken for the security of the airports and there is no shortage of manpower to deal with any attempt by ultras to create trouble,” sources asserted.
Meanwhile, on the security of the vital oil installations, sources admitted that these are being guarded in the best possible manner. Sources revealed that there have been inputs about possibility of attacks on oil installations by the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), particularly in the upper Assam area. As the ULFA(I) has already joined hands with other outfits of the region, the possibility of joint attacks also cannot be ruled out. There are inputs that a few militants with grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are trying to enter the State and they may try to hit oil installations. In view of this, the CISF men deployed in vital oil installations as well as the police and security forces deployed in the vulnerable areas are kept on the alert.
