ULFA calls for shut down in Assam to protest Manmohan Singh's visit

Kolkata, (Xinhua-ANI): Security is being beefed up in Assam ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Guwahati, as the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) reiterated its call for a state-wide shutdown on April 20 to protest against the visit.

In an e-mailed statement to the media, the outfit's publicity secretary, Joy Asom, appealed to the people of Assam to play a conscious role so that "unwanted" situations can be avoided during the shutdown.

An Assam police officer said Wednesday that all police stations and other agencies had been alerted and all precautionary measures had been taken in view of Singh's visit.

The prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Assam Legislative Assembly at Dispur during his visit.

Singh has scheduled to visit Assam to open the year-long platinum jubilee celebrations of the state assembly on April 7. But the visit was postponed due to a threat from the ULFA. (ANI)