Rebels kill 2 more in restive Assam

Two persons were killed in fresh violence by suspected National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) anti-talks faction insurgents in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, taking the toll to five in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) since Saturday, officials said on Wednesday. HT reports.

Two persons were killed in fresh violence by suspected National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) anti-talks faction insurgents in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, taking the toll to five in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) since Saturday, officials said on Wednesday.

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Chief minister Tarun Gogoi directed the police to take the help of the army and paramilitary forces if required. “Vigil should be stepped up to foil the sinister designs of certain forces,” Gogoi said.

He added that the latest violence — after a bloody spell three months ago — was the handiwork of forces that wanted to create disturbances in the BTAD areas, which were returning to normal. State home secretary GD Tripathy said, “Security measures have been intensified…”

In the early hours of Wednesday, a woman was killed and another injured when suspected insurgents fired indiscriminately on a house in Kokrajhar district.

Around 3pm, a schoolteacher was shot dead in the district. The attacks have triggered tension in Kokrajhar and neigbouring Chirang and Dhubri.

On Tuesday, suspected Bodo militants had fired on a group of labourers working on a bridge in Baksa district. One labourer was killed and two were injured.

Police suspect the anti-talks faction of the NDFB of targeting the firm constructing the bridge for extortion.

In July–August, violence between Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim migrants had claimed 97 lives.

(With agency inputs)