Six NDFB-S militants accused in Kokrajhar massacre arrested

Two militant leaders of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songnijit) accused of the massacre of adivasis have been arrested along with four of their associates and a large quantity of arms from their possession.

Two dreaded militant leaders of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songnijit) alleged to be responsible for the massacre of adivasis have been arrested along with four of their associates and a large quantity of arms seized from their possession, a senior police officer said on Friday.

"NDFB-S Kokrajhar platoon 'second-in-command' Mithinga and Khuren along with their four associates were arrested from Serfunguri in Kokrajhar district of Assam last night," IGP LR Bishnoi told PTI.

They were accused of massacre of the Adivasis at Pakriguri in Kokrajhar district on December 23.

The extremists led the police to the jungles in Thaisuguri area where they had buried a huge cache of weapons, explosives, medicines and army uniforms, Bishnoi said.

The recoveries include one AK-47 rifle, an HK-33 rifle, one M-16 rifle, six magazines, four 9 mm-pistols, four hand grenades, 300 rounds of ammunition, four sacks of medicines and several battle fatigues, he said.

Stating Mithinga and Khuren had themselves fired upon the people at Pakriguri, the IGP said their arrests were a major success in nabbing the perpetrators of the December 23 killings.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had announced, while visiting Assam after the killing, that National Investigation Agency (NIA) would probe into the carnage and the agency has started their investigation.