AGARTALA, June 11: The Tripura government had prior information about insurgents moving in the area where 18 persons were killed yesterday, but security was not adequate, said State Home Minister Samar Choudhury.

``We had prior information that insurgents were moving in the area. Based on this information, we had mobilised the CRPF, but the strength was not not sufficient,'' Choudhury told newsmen here today.

He said that the Director General of State Police, Brij Pal Singh, today rushed to the spot to coordinate combing operations together with the DIG (Range) and commandants of the army. ``They have told me that they would send me no feedback now and rightly so,'' he said.

BSF patrolling in Thalchhera-Gobindabari-Gandachhera area along the Bangladesh border had been intensified. There has been no arrest so far.The minister said that sealing of the Bangladesh border in the area was nearly impossible with the limited strength of the BSF. ``How can you seal the border? There is a difference of about 15 to 20 kilometers between two border outposts in the area. However, the BSF is trying its best.''

Chowdhury said that the government was not considering bringing more areas under the Disturbed Areas Act, presently in force in 19 police station areas.Asked whether ULFA or NSCN links with the NLFT had been established in the state, Chowdhury said, ``It would not be improper to think so''. Meanwhile, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Front and opposition Congress today called a 24-hour Tripura bandh tomorrow protesting against Tuesday' militant attacks. The Home Minister said that the state government would not oppose the bandh. He urged the people to maintain peace and communal harmony and raise their voice against militancy. Essential services, including hospital, fire service, milk, chemist shops and examinations would be exempted from the purview of the bandh.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.