Guwahati: The Assam police has alerted all its district officials across the State to tighten security measures and keep a strict vigil in view of the threat by the proscribed ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) to target Congress ministers, MLAs and leaders. State Director General of Police P V Sumant told sources in Guwahati today (Nov 1, 2004) that in view of the new threat from the ULFA, the district superintendents of police had been instructed to keep a strict vigil on the situation and increase the security cover of the Congress leaders.

The ULFA had on Saturday (Oct 30, 2004) warned that it would target Congress ministers, MLAs, district and local level leaders in retaliation of the killing of its five cadres by a joint police and Army team in an encounter in Lakhimpur on Friday (Oct 29, 2004).

"We are taking whatever necessary action is needed to thwart the threat and are keeping a very strict watch on the situation", Sumant said.

The law and order situation is being reviewed on a daily basis to prevent any situation arising out of the new ULFA challenge, he said.

Following the instructions security around the ministers' office at 'Janata Bhavan', ministers residences, MLA hostels and Congress headquarters 'Rajiv Bhavan' Guwahati were stepped up.

According to security sources, the ministers and MLAs had been asked to be vigilant and inform the police about their threat perceptions and asked the Congress people to restrict their movements.

Meanwhile, home minister Rockybul Hussain and new chief secretary S Kabilan have separately reviewed the situation with the home department and police officials.

APCC (Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee) president Bhuabneswar Kalita terming the ULFA threat as ''unfortunate'' said he would discuss the matter with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and party colleagues.