14 killed in militant attack in Assam; PM condemns the incident
05 August, Guwahati
In Assam, 14 civilians were killed in a firing incident at Kokrajhar Friday. One militant was killed in security force’s retaliatory firing. Additional DGP L R Bishnoi said that as per preliminary investigation, it was found that NDFB Songbijit militants involved in the firing. He said that 16 civilians were also injured in the firing.
The incident occurred at Balajan Tiniali weekly market. The army PRO said that two militants arrived at the spot in an auto and fired indiscriminately. Huge cache of arms and explosives recovered from the spot.
Security forces launched manhunt to find out militant involved in the incident. State Health and Forest ministers, DGP along with other senior officials rushed to Kokrajhar. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up across Assam following the incident.
Centre is closely monitoring the situation arising out of the reported militant attack in Kokrajhar district of Assam today. Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to state Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal over the incident who apprised him of the prevailing situation. The Chief Minister also talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.
Talking to media, Sonowal said, his government is committed to take stern action against perpetrators of the Kokrajhar incident. Sonowal said that the government has granted five lakh rupees of ex gratia to the family of the deceased and 1 lakh rupees to the injured.
He said that Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and a team of senior officials will reach the spot to assess situation. He appealed all to maintain peace.
Sonowal ordered a high alert in view of the Independence Day on August 15.”We will not tolerate any threat from any group,” he said. “The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups.”
Sonowal, who took charge of Assam in May at the head of its first BJP government, vowed to deal with the terrorists “very sternly”. He said: “No one involved in the crime will be spared.”
He announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those killed and told the administration to ensure that the injured got free treatment and to shift the seriously wounded to Guwahati.A medical team from Guwahati was rushed to Kokrajhar.
On the other hand, Health minister Himanta Biswa suspected that NDFB Songbijit faction was involved in the incident. He said, injured persons are being shifted to Barpeta medical college and they will be treated free of cost.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the militant attack in Kokrajhar in Assam. In a tweet, Modi said, the Home Ministry is in touch with the Assam Government and is monitoring the situation closely. He said, he is saddened by the attack and his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and those injured.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also condemned the attack and extended her condolences to the families of the innocent victims. In her message, Mrs Gandhi, described the attack as mindless and dastardly act and stressed that the perpetrators of such acts should be sternly dealt with.