Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil stated that the law-and-order situation in Assam was the worst in the entire north-eastern region. Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day annual conference of police chiefs from all over the country on November 22, Mr. Patil added that Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were quite peaceful. He further noted that though Tripura had improved nearly 40 per cent, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur continued to suffer1.

Meanwhile, the Assam Government on November 21 announced a slew of measures to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the state. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi stated that two detention camps to hold those who have been declared foreigners by the tribunals would be set up at Mancachar in Dhubri district and Mahisashan in Karimganj district. Gogoi added that people entering Assam from Bangladesh would henceforth be required to submit their local address, photographs and provide fingerprints at the checkpoints. He also mooted possible fencing along the Bhutan and Myanmar borders2.

In other developments, as many as 15 people, including United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) cadres, were arrested in connection with the October 30 serial blasts in Assam. CM Tarun Gogoi however admitted that though the brain behind the blasts could not be identified as yet, he was sure that the particular group was based in Bangladesh. Discounting the possibility of a Maoist link with the blasts, Mr. Gogoi stated that the possibility of fact Maoists causing trouble in the future could not be ruled out3.

• 1. “Asom law and order worries Patil,” Sentinel, November 23, 2008, at http://sentinelassam.com/sentinel_en/main%20news.htm
• 2. “Govt moves to curb influx,” Telegraph, November 22, 2008, at http://telegraphindia.com/1081122/jsp/northeast/story_10144832.jsp
• 3. “Brain behind blasts in Bangladesh, we need Centre’s help: Gogoi,” Sentinel, November 22, 2008, at http://sentinelassam.com/sentinel_en/main%20news.htm