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While the rest of the nation is making plans to celebrate Independence Day in a grand manner, security forces in the Northeast are looking ahead with trepidation as militant groups called for a boycott going so far as to issue 'shoot at sight' orders in some places.
Generally, the celebrations in this militancy-affected region are restricted to politicians, government officials and mediapersons, and security personnel guarding the venue.
In sharp contrast to the rest of the nation, the region simply shuts shop for those two days.
Militants use the I-Day, and Republic Day, to register their protest against what they call 'illegal occupation by Indian colonial forces'.
This year is no different. They have vowed to not only boycott I-Day but also unfurl black flags in various places. A 24-hour 'general strike' has been called to enforce the boycott.
The militant groups spearheading the boycott include the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangliepak (PREPAK) and the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF).
In the week preceding I-Day, the administration is on tenterhooks as militants strike at vital installations, government property and key figures in the government.
In Assam, security has been tightened after guerrilla groups threatened to strike oil installations and other targets, police have said.
"The overall charge of the security in vulnerable districts has been handed over to the army. Troops have been deployed in possible trouble spots and security around vital installations tightened," Inspector General of Police B P Rao said.
"We have intelligence inputs that they (militants) will strike at oil pipelines, railway tracks, destroy important bridges and attack security personnel on duty," Rao said.
Assam produces 3.35 million tones of crude oil annually. Several oil fields owned by Oil India Limited and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation are scattered in remote areas of the state.
Militants frequently target a crucial pipeline, which carries crude oil from upper Assam to the refineries located in lower Assam some 700 kms away.
Among others, the Indian Oil Corporation owns two refineries, while Bongaigaon Refineries & Petrochemicals Limited and Numaligarh Refineries Ltd. Own one each.
Forces are also patrolling the border with Bhutan where the militants have camps.
The North-east Frontier (NF) Railway has suspended operating trains at night in Assam since Sunday night until further orders in view of the threats.
Pilot engines are being sent before each passenger train to ascertain the stability of tracks and railway stations in remote areas have been provided with additional security, a NF Railway spokesperson said.
State transport undertakings and private operators will not ply buses and taxis for 24 hours starting 0500 hours (IST) on August 15, sources in the transport trade said.
Trucks coming in from distant places will halt at whichever place they are on the morning of August 15.
The Northeast imports essential goods worth at least Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion) from the rest of the country. At least 2,000 trucks enter Assam everyday and an equal number leave the state.
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