GUWAHATI: President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the five-day Namami Brahmaputra festival here on the banks of the country’s only male river on Friday amidst tight security following reported disruption threats from the pro-China, Ulfa (I).
The festival organized by the BJP-led state government “to serve as an ideal platform to showcase Assam’s tremendous potential as a state brimming with trade, tourism and culture opportunities” also faces an additional threat perception over Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama’s participation on Sunday, which has also been strongly opposed by the banned outfit.
“Ulfa (I) has protested against Namami Brahmaputra festival and we have inputs about attempts by the outfit to carry out blasts in the city and other towns. We have intensified operations on Goalpara-Meghalaya border (passage to Bangladesh). There are inputs that a group of the outfit led by Ramesh Deka may try to carry out subversive activities in Darrang-Udalguri parts on the northern banks of Brahmaputra,” a senior police official said.
Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday appealed to the people of the state for cooperation in making the festival a grand success.
From CCTVs to battle ready rescue boats patrolling the river to highly trained deep water divers, an elaborate security arrangement has been thrown over the central venue of the festival here.
Apart from the security threats, the festival, billed as India’s biggest river festival, also looks to be marred by bad weather as the met department has warned rain and thundershowers till March 5.
The mega event will be centered around worshipping of the river Brahmaputra with an eye making this National Waterway No 2 “a bridge to drive economic progress in Southeast Asian markets, as part of India’s Act East Policy. The organizers have planned business meets, trade seminars and symposiums.
Delegations from Japan, Vietnam, Laos and Singapore have confirmed their participation at the business meets and seminars. The Chinese, who were also invited to the festival, have not responded with their confirmation, an official said.
