Twin terror: Jihadis, Maoists spreading footprint in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Police have been confronted with two challenges at the same time – the jihadi threat and the Maoist threat in the State. The arrest of some jihadis and Maoists in the recent past has proved that both outfits have started building their network in some areas of Assam.

Police sources said that based on evidence gathered so far, it was clear that both jihadi and Maoist activities had started in Assam at almost the same time – in 2019. The Maoists are trying to spread their footprint in some districts of Upper Assam and the Barak Valley. They have set their eyes upon tea gardens and Adivasi-dominated areas to spread their ideology and recruit people. Their objective, said police sources, is to establish a 'red' corridor in the Northeast through Assam. On the other hand, jihadi outfits have spread their footprint in some areas of Barpeta, Bongaigaon and Dhubri districts. So far, police have arrested 16 jihadis from different parts of Assam.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted about the rising jihadi threat in the State today. His tweet stated, "In a long-drawn operation, Assam Police has cracked down on several modules of Ansarul Bangla Team /Al-Qaida Indian Subcontinent in Assam. It's a huge intelligence success and a true example of courage and dedication of Assam Police."

Police sources said, two jihadis were arrested from Bongaigaon two days ago. Reportedly, in the name of religion, they had imparted training to some youths in Bongaigaon to indoctrinate them. Sources said further that jihadi outfits are now trying to establish their network in the sar areas. Last year in December, a Bangladeshi maulavi named Jalaluddin Usmani had been invited for a religious discourse at the Phatikgrah Jama Masjid in the Barpeta district. This maulavi supposedly has fundamentalist leanings. So at the request of the Assam Police, the Home Ministry cancelled his visa.

However, in February 2021, another fundamentalist from Bangladesh– Hussain Ahmed– came to Assam and visited places in Karimganj, Barpeta, Morigaon, Dhubri and Goalpara. He reportedly held meetings and came in touch with many people while touring the State. Interestingly, sources said that he had come to India on a medical visa and he was supposed to go to Vellore. But instead of going to Vellore, he came to Assam and went about holding meetings. In this way, fundamentalists are trying to influence people in Assam, especially the youth. But the Assam Police are taking all possible steps to thwart such attempts.

On the other hand, Maoists are also attempting to establish their network here. Recently, veteran Maoist leader Kanchan Da was arrested. Sources said that he had been carrying out Maoist activities in the State since 2019 and had come in contact with many youths to recruit them. Sources added that few new areas have been identified as potential locations for Maoist activities. Maoist outfits are active in tea garden areas and attempts are being made to indoctrinate Adivasi youths. The Assam Police already has a list of potential recruits and is keeping an eye on them. Police sources said, "They want to create a red corridor in the Northeast through Assam."

The Assam Police, with the help of central intelligence units, are gauging the threat posed by fundamentalist/radical elements as well as left-wing extremists, and are taking all possible steps to thwart their evil designs.

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