Games: Assam may ask for Army cover

With the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) not bothering to respond to a series of appeals to call off its threat to the ensuing 33rd National Games

With the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) not bothering to respond to a series of appeals to call off its threat to the ensuing 33rd National Games, the Assam government is likely to ask the army to remain on standby during the mega sports event.

Though no specific decision was taken at a crucial meeting of the Unified Command Structure, held here yesterday to review the security scenario of the state, sources said the idea of asking the army to provide a security back-up during the games was discussed.

“The government does not want to take any chance. We are however still optimistic that the ULFA would respond positively to the appeal of various quarters to withdraw its boycott call,” an official said. The ULFA had last month called for a boycott of the National Games with its chairman saying the National Games was yet another way of India asserting its “occupation” of Assam.

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It was only two weeks ago that the Assam Assembly had adopted a unanimous resolution appealing to the ULFA to withdraw the boycott in the greater interest of the state. Various sports bodies of the state too have appealed to the ULFA to reconsider its decision.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said the state government would take all possible measures to ensure that the National Games passed off peacefully. “It is the state government’s duty and responsibility to provide security to each and every participant in the National Games,” Gogoi had told the Assembly recently.

Security officials on the other hand fear that the ULFA might try to disrupt the National Games by causing explosions in the state capital. The event is slated to begin on February 9 and facilities in a number of newly-constructed stadiums are almost ready.