The union home ministry has sent an advisory to Tripura government to tighten security after separatist groups issued call to boycott forthcoming Republic Day. A senior police official said the alert received through IB is similar sent to other north eastern states.
The National Liberation Front of Tripura, United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent), National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit), Hynnewtrep Liberation Council (of Meghalaya), Kamatapur Liberation Organization and the a few Manipur-based extremist groups reiterated its vengeance to urge people of the region to boycott the January 26 programmes.
“We used to receive same advisory from the union home ministry ahead of national occasions. Though extremists in Tripura have lost capability to strike still we are taking no chance”, a senior police official stated on Thursday.
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He said three tier security measures have been taken after reviewing different security aspects. Special emphasises are being given to rail stations, bus terminus, public transports and congested markets with sniffer dogs and bomb squads pressed into service for regular checks.
Official sources said Tripura police is actively coordinating with central forces mainly the Border Security Force (BSF) to enhance security on Bangladesh border to quell threats from the extremist groups who also announced to enforce a general strike on 26 January.
They said the Assam Rifles has launched special operation and patrol in Kanchanpur of north Tripura, close to neighbouring Mizoram.
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The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) which has a large presence in Tripura is entrusted task to guard the national highways as well as sensitive interior pockets. However paramilitary Tripura State Rifles, which was key force in striking down the extremists, has been given major security responsibilities.
Meanwhile the Northeast Frontier Railway has rescheduled train services between Agartala - Lumding, and Agartala – Silchar on security grounds. The overall alert in Tripura would remain into force till January 29, sources said.