Assam govt has proof of jihadi activities in state: Gogoi

PTI GUWAHATI, OCTOBER 22 [dropcap]A[/dropcap]SSAM Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Wednesday that the government had proof that jihadi groups were active in the state. Referring to the Jamaat-ul Mujahideen of Bangladesh (JMB), the Chief Minister told reporters, “We have got some proof that jihadis were present in the state. We will identify and punish them“. “I cannot say it is confirmed, but it is suspected that al-Qaeda has links with them,” he said adding, “We have to be cautious that they don’t set up base in Assam“. He warned that the government will take strong action against any such jihadi activities. “There is no politics behind it. It is a matter of national interest. I can assure everyone that no innocent people will be arrested in the name of religion,” he said.Gogoi warned that any individual involved in such activities would not be spared and said “we won’t allow them (jihadists) to set up a base here.” Assam Director General of Police(DGP) Khagen Sarma on Tuesday said, Assamese youths have undergone a training under the Islamic terror network Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to carry out attacks. “We have received information against some youths who have been visiting Bangladesh for getting the training under the Islamic terror such as the JMB to carry out terror attacks.