Thursday, September 29 2005 16:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jorhat: Security in the Upper Assam districts of Jorhat and Sibsagar have been tightened in view of reports about a three-member United Liberation front of Assam (ULFA) group along with an National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) (Khaplang) cadre sneaking in from Dibru Saikhowa National Park where the army had launched an operation against them.

Intelligence sources here today said that the four were out to extort money during the coming Durga Pujas after their camps inside the national park were busted during 'Operation Red Rose' launched by the army since August last week until Tuesday.

A heavy security arrangement had been put in place with the entry and exit points of the two districts under surveillance, night curfew imposed along the Assam-Nagaland border and patrolling intensified, sources said.

The army offensive was launched in the last week of August in the Park where the ULFA had set up camps coming down from the foothills of neighboring Arunchal Pradesh.

The operation was called off on Tuesday in the wake of protests by human rights organizations, which alleged that supply of essential commodities had been affected to three villages inside the Park.

The army, however, continued to be deployed at the entry point of the Park to ensure that militants do not enter Dibru again.

The Gauhati High Court acting on a PIL had also ordered the Assam Government on Tuesday to ensure supply of essential commodities and medicine to the villagers there.

Several local organizations under the banner of People's Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam called a daylong bandh today to protest against the army action.