New Delhi: Union home minister Rajnath Singh, along with MoS Kiren Rijiju, would visit Assam this afternoon along to take stock of the situation after National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit faction) militants shot dead at least 51 adivasis, including women and children, at five different places in Assam on Tuesday.
I m upset, despite our appeal, this incident took place and innocent people have lost their lives, it s totally unacceptable, MoS Home Kiren Rijiju said in New Delhi on Tuesday. Security forces are already doing their work. Assam has asked for 50 extra companies of central forces, which we will mobilize, Kiren Rijiju said.
India imposed a curfew in parts of Assam on Wednesday after suspected tribal guerrillas killed 48 people in a series of attacks in retaliation for an offensive against them. Tuesday’s attacks in four places by militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland within the space of an hour were the deadliest in months. Villagers said police the rebels came on foot, armed with assault rifles and wearing military uniforms.
The militants first came and asked for water. Suddenly they opened fire with their AK-47 rifles,” a witness, who fled into jungle, later, told reporters.The guerrillas say they are fighting for a separate homeland for indigenous Bodo people. They complain that the tea-growing state has been flooded with outsiders.
Security forces launched a campaign last month against the rebels in their remote hideouts, prompting a threat from them to target settlers. They didn’t even spare women and children,” said a police officer, adding there were at least 10 women among the dead in Tuesday’s violence. At least 13 children were killed.
Lalit Gogoi, deputy commissioner of the worst-affected Sonitpur district, said the army had been put on standby and a dusk to dawn curfew imposed. The single hospital in Sonitpur was crowded with scores of people with gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Mukherjee condemned the attack. PM Modi wrote on Twitter – “Killing of innocent people in Sonitpur & Kokrajhar is an act of cowardice. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the deceased.”
“#PresidentMukherjee also strongly condemns killings in Assam, says such acts of terror and violence must be put down with a firm hand,” said the President’s office tweeter handle.
The NDFB had yesterday triggered a grenade blast in Patgaon in Kokrajhar district, injuring three people.
A joint team of Assam Police commandos and the army had on Sunday killed two Bodo militants in neighbouring Chirang district, close to the Bhutan border. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Tuesday said his government will not bow down to any militant threat.
Bureau Report
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