Kokrajhar: Suspected terrorists of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) on Friday killed 14 civilians and critically injured 15 others including a minor girl in an attack on a crowded weekly market in Western Assam’s Kokrajhar district.
The militant arrived at the scene of attack in an auto-rickshaw and lobbed a powerful grenade before indiscriminately firing on civilians at Balajan Tinali area, which is about ten kilometers from Kokrajhar, headquarters of Bodoland Territorial Council.
The Director General of Police Mukesh Shahay who was on his way to Kokrajhar said the attack seemed to be the handiwork of NDFB(S) rebels.
“We have eliminated one of the militants in an encounter soon after the incident and a massive combing operations have been launched to nab their associates suspected to have been taking shelter in the nearby areas,” said Mr Shahay who recently told reporters that NDFB (S) was recruiting youths in Western Assam.
He said they recovered an AK-47 rifle from the terrorist who was killed in an intense gun battle with security forces.
Security sources said that apart from opening fire, NDFB (S) rebels lobbed a grenade, which damaged many shops.
'Saddened by the attack in Kokrajhar. We strongly condemn it. Thoughts & prayers with the bereaved families & those injured,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on his official Twitter account.
The attack came at a time when security forces were on high alert in view of the intelligence reports fearing attacks by militants in the run up to Independence Day.
Security sources said that incident was unusual in nature as the heavily armed militants not only killed civilians but also waited for 20 minutes for the security forces to arrive at the spot, leading to a fierce gun battle. While one militant was killed in the encounter, security sources said that at least three others managed to escape.
While narrating the incident a survivor, Santosh Narzary, a trader at the market, told local news channels, "I saw one gunman dressed in black raincoat-like gown and another two were sitting in an auto-rickshaw. He wasn't firing indiscriminately but targeting people and taking one shot at a time."
Meanwhile Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal who was in New Delhi, condemned the dastardly attack. He told reporters that his government has decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the family of each killed in this militant attack. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. two lakh to those critically wounded and Rs. 20,000 for those having minor injuries.
Mr Sonowal also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Rajnath Singh also called him to know the details of the incident and condemned the act of militants.
The state administration has also made an arrangement to shift those critically wounded in the attack to Guwahati Medical College Hospital for a better treatment.
