GUWAHATI: Army was asked to standby in the north eastern Indian state of Assam Monday night as paramilitary forces launched large scale operations to locate 21 persons, including state and central officials and a Soviet citizen, abducted by United Liberation Front of Assam militants since Sunday.

The order asking the army to standby was passed by state chief minister Hiteshwar Saikia.

Of the kidnap, 14 were abducted Monday from Guwahati, Jorhat, Mangalgoi, Margherita and Hazira. They include officers of the oil and natural gas commission, Indian Oil corporation and telecommunication department.

While Sergeiv, amarine engineer of the Tipam colliery of Coal India Ltd, was abducted from Margherita in upper Assam, seven ONGC officials were taken away from Jorhat and Nazira.

S K Tewari, commissioners of personnel and general administration, Ranjit Das, superintendent supply, and his driver were abducted from Guwahati.

M M Das, ADC, Darrang, and the confidential assistant of DC Darrang, Hareswar Sarma were kidnapped from Mangaldoi.

In a telecast Monday night on state capital Guwahati television, chief minister Hiteswar Saikia appealed to those responsible for the kidnapping to realize their victims immediately.

Saikia called upon the ULFA to come to the negotiating table for a solution to their problems. “No problem could be solved by a gun running and hatred,” he said.

He assured that the state government had taken measures to soon release large number of youths, now in different jails.

Saikia, in a cabinet meeting, reviewed the law and order situation in the wake of the kidnapping. Top civil and police officials were present at the meeting.

The government sounded a red alert and has launched a massive man hunt throughout the state, reports said.

Saikia ordered the police to step up security measures and seal the borders with neighboring states. Police pickets have been posted at vulnerable points as a precautionary measure.

Federal minister of state for home MM Jacob is maintaining constant touch with the Assam government and the chief minister and is monitoring the situation.

Highly placed sources told PTI that the Assam government had been assured of all necessary help including dispatch of central paramilitary forces to the state.

The sources said that the Assam government would not hesitate to use even the army to seek the release of the kidnapping officials.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 5, 1991