Assam assembly urges CM to avail Z+ security

Guwahati, July 22 (IANS) Expressing concern over the chief minister's security, the ruling and opposition members in the Assam assembly on Friday requested Sarbananda Sonowal to accept Z+ security cover considering the threat perception in the state.

Sonowal, who has been refusing to avail Z+ security cover, might soon accept it.

BJP legislator from Sootea constituency Padma Hazarika raised the issue of the chief minister's security in the house on Friday during a discussion on activities of jihadi outfits in the state. Hazarika wanted to know if the existing security cover for Sonowal is adequate.

Replying to Hazarika, Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary informed the house that although the intelligence services had suggested Z+ security for Sonowal, he was reluctant to avail it.

At this, both the ruling as well as the opposition party MLAs unanimously opined that the chief minister must avail the Z+ security cover. Patowary informed the house that he would convey to the chief minister the concern of the house.

Meanwhile, the Assam government on Friday said that at least 12 jihadis are still operating in the state and the security agencies have been put on alert due to the jihadi threat.

"The jihadi threat is a fact as of now but no one should panic as the government has put the security agencies on alert. No one needs to panic as our security forces are able to deal with them," Patowary said.

He said that the security agencies have so far nabbed over 50 jihadi operatives from different areas of the state since October 2014.

"Some of these jihadi operatives had undergone motivational training in West Bengal and police here had recovered 10 handmade bombs from their possession," Patowary said.