The members of the Assam legislative Assembly, cutting across the party lines, on Friday expressed concern over the security of State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and appealed that the Chief Minister must avail the Z+ security cover.
The matter came up for discussion in the House on Friday after BJP legislator Padma Hazarika raised the issue of threat perception in the State due to jehadi elements. Hazarika wanted to know from the Government if the existing security cover availed by the Chief Minister is adequate to protect him considering the threat perception.
Replying to Hazarika, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that although the intelligence had suggested Z+ security cover for the Chief Minister, it is the Chief Minister who had been refusing to avail the same.
At this all the members of Opposition, including the members of BJP, the AGP, BPF, Congress, AIUDF and the Independents appealed that the Chief Minister must avail Z+ security cover, which was suggested to him by the intelligence.
Patowary assured the House that he would convey the concern of the House to the Chief Minister.
It may be mentioned here that the Chief Minister Sonowal after assuming charge two months back decided to avail extended security cover as it often causes traffic snarls due to the number of vehicles in the cavalcade causing problems for the common people.
Normally the Chief Minister of Assam is suggested Z+ category of security cover considering the threat perception in the State. At present former Assam Chief Ministers including Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Tarun Gogoi have been enjoying the Z+ category security cover.
Patowary further informed the House that the threat from the Jihadi operatives is real and that at least 12 Jihadi operatives are still at large in Assam, which includes some top ranking leaders.
Giving the statistics, Patowary said that a total of 52 Jihadi operatives have been arrested from different parts of the State since October 2014 till date. “The security agencies have also recovered some arms ammunition and at least hand made bombs from these arrested Jihadi operatives,” he said adding that somne of these arrested Jihadi operatives have also undergone trainings in West Bengal.
“However, no one needs to panic as our police and security forces are alert and they are capable to deal with the situation,” he said adding that most of the Jihadi elements enters the State through the porous Indo-Bangladesh border and that the Government is committed to seal the International border to stop the infiltration of terror.