GUWAHATI, Nov 1 - Police and security forces are concerned over the emotionally charged atmosphere in Assam on the issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill , while, there is also apprehension that unscrupulous elements can try to create disturbance by taking advantage of the situation arising out of the agitations against the Bill and the process of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Highly placed security source admitted before The Assam Tribune that any unscrupulous element can take advantage of a situation like this and though police and security forces are keeping a close watch on the situation and even the inflammatory statements given by anyone is monitored, it is not possible to ensure that no untoward incident will not take place in any remote corner of the State.
�The situation is now such that even a spark can lead to a major fire and that is why, the police and security forces are kept on the alert,� sources said. Sources pointed out that some elements are trying to create a linguistic divide in the society on the issue of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, while, on the other hand, efforts were also on to create religious divide on the issue of updating the NRC. The Government of India, following the request of the State Government, sent additional forces to ensure that the process of updating the NRC goes on peacefully and till now, no violence has taken place after the publication of the draft. But the police and security forces cannot afford to lower their guards because of the attempts made by certain sections to instigate people both on the issue of NRC and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, sources pointed out.
At present, in addition to the Police and the Army, more than 250 companies of Central forces have been deployed in Assam to maintain law and order, but sources pointed out that even a minor incident of violence taking place in a remote corner of the State can lead to serious law and order problem. Sources pointed out that the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) claimed the responsibility for the recent blast in Guwahati and asserted that it was a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Immediately thereafter, some organizations attacked the ULFA through press statements. Such war of words is not a healthy sign and can result in violence. Everyone should maintain restraint and the organizations agitating against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill must ensure that none of their members indulge in any kind of violence even in the face of provocations, sources said.