Bonnie Konyak
Dimapur | December 2
After the October 30 serial bomb blast in different parts of Assam—the most deadly recorded in the Northeast— Nagaland is on high alert with intelligence inputs pointing to a similar terror threat in the state. According to highly reliable sources, intelligence inputs have been received from both the Centre as well as state machineries of a possible terror strike in Nagaland. In fact, one top secret report from the state has cautioned about ‘disturbance’ during the ongoing Hornbill festival. The commercial hub of Dimapur has also been warned with intelligence sources disclosing that there are ‘inputs’ about a possible strike during the period from December 1-10. All this has spurred the state police into extensive preparedness and high alert especially in Kohima and Dimapur.
However, the state police say that there is nothing to worry about since such “advisory” and “warnings” from the Centre as well as from the intelligence has been has passed on since the serial blasts in Assam. But police sources say these advisories have been duly noted and efforts have been taken to secure the state from all possible threats. Infact, commercial hub Dimapur is being combed thoroughly with round the clock vigil by the state police in coordination with other security forces. Vulnerable areas like the Dimapur Railway station is being checked with sniffer dogs from Rangapahar atleast twice a day while routine frisking and checking is being conducted, says the police.
Meanwhile, the Hornbill festival in Kohima is being held under extensive precautionary measures. Measures which have never been conducted during the earlier years, like the use of mine sweep detectors and deployment of people from the INT establishment have been used this year. In fact, sources disclosed that local people from the area have also been roped in keep a vigil on the movement of suspicious characters around the area. It is reported that the slopes in the upper region of the heritage complex is being deployed with forces for the first time this year and the north side of the complex is being minded by the IRB boys. In addition to these, the Assam Rifles and other paramilitary forces have also been given a stall exclusively for their officers and wives so that they can also share a greater sense of responsibility in the event.
In Dimapur, not just the precautionary measures but even disaster management efforts have been scaled up in preparation for any eventuality. The police have coordinated with all private hospitals and clinics around the city by taking note of available ambulances and requesting to help out in case disaster strikes the city. The police and administration have also taken note of the blood banks at the Dimapur Civil Hospital and have sensitized the policemen to donate blood in case of disasters. Not only these, ribbons of different colours have been distributed to identify the different state of injured persons along with a first aid kit distributed to the police for better coordination during such times. Thus, “prepared”, the state police and administration are on high alert with extensive preparations and while assuring the public that there is no need to panic, they cautioned people not to be too careless during the festive seasons ahead.
