Bodoland outfit involvement suspected in terror attack in Kokrajhar,Assam
Guwahati August 5: The calm prevailing in Assam ever since the new BJP government assumed power was broken on Friday when a group of militants opened fire at a busy market near Kokrajhar, killing at least 14 civilians and injuring 18 others.
While no terror group has claimed responsibility, reports said the attack was carried out by members of the NDFB-S.
A faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, NDFB(S), led by IK Songbijit, is a separatist outfit which seeks to obtain a sovereign Bodoland for the Bodo people in Assam.
The Army and paramilitary forces have launched a massive operation to nab the terrorists, said to be 3-4 in number. One of the terrorists has been neutralised by the forces.
However, there is no official confirmation about the number of militants who carried out the dastardly attack.
Chief Minister Sarbabanda Sonowal, who is in Delhi, has briefed Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar about the situation in Kokrajhar.
Speaking to reporters, Sonowal said, “We condemn the attack, sorry state of affairs. Our Govt will take stern action against these extremist outfits.”
“Ex gratia of Rs.5 lakhs will be given to next of kin of people who died, Rs.1 lakhs for the injured,” he added.
Rajnath singh tweeted:
Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal who apprised me of the situation in Kokrajhar. MHA is closely monitoring the situation.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 5, 2016
His deputy Kiren Rijiju said that the government is shocked by the timing of the attack when sincere efforts are being made to bring peace to the region.
