At least 14 civilians were killed and 20 others injured in Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Friday after militants belonging to the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-S) went on a firing spree in a busy weekly market and triggered grenade blasts before the security forces gunned down one of them in retaliation.
The police said that a group of heavily-armed militants, wearing Army fatigues, came to the crowded weekly Balajan Tiniali market, about 12 km from here, in an auto rickshaw around noon and fired indiscriminately killing 12 people on the spot and injuring 20 others. Two other persons succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital, police added.
This is the first such major terror attack in Assam this year, which came as a reminder of the terror attack on civilians in Assam by the same militant outfit on December 2014, which left over 70 Adivasis dead and many injured.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack. “Saddened by the attack in Kokrajhar. We strongly condemn it. Thoughts & prayers with the bereaved families & those injured,” he tweeted.
Describing the incident as “very unfortunate”, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said, “The militants have been attacking soft targets and the incident in Kokrajhar is no different. It is a matter of concern as peace has already returned to the State, particularly to the Bodoland Territorial Area District(BTAD).”
Home Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed about the attack by National Security Adviser AK Doval. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is in Delhi, denounced the attack and said the militants would be dealt with “very sternly”.
“We will not tolerate any threat from any group. The Government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups,” a statement from the CMO said.
All Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police across the State have been directed to be on high alert following the attack and in view of Independence Day.
He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the dead, Rs 1 lakh each to the seriously injured and Rs 20,000 each to those who sustained minor injuries.
The dead included a woman who was yet to be identified while six others have been identified as Mazhar Ali, Salam Ali, Danda Basumatary, Moniram Basumatary, Parmeswar Basumatary and Tapan Chakraborty.
Assam Director-General of Police Mukesh Sahay confirmed the involvement of the NDFB-S faction in Friday’s attack and said that the Army and paramilitary operations against the militants were still continuing in the area.
He said AK-56 and 47 series rifles along with grenades were also recovered from
the spot.
“The militants first fired from their AK rifles and then triggered grenade blasts. One of the militants was killed by the security forces. This confirms the involvement of the NDFB anti-talk faction militants behind the incident.
However, our investigation is on to get more details on the issue,” said the DGP who rushed to Kokrajhar immediately to take stock of the situation.
“Some militants dressed in combat fatigue came in an auto rickshaw and started firing at random on civilians in the weekly market at Balajan Tinali area near Kokrajhar town, killing 12 civilians instantly and injuring 20 others,” said Defence spokesman lieutenant-Colonel Suneet Newton while adding that an Army patrol reacted immediately and could neutralise one of the militants.
Inspector-General of Police (BTAD) lR Bishnoi said that there were three militants in the group that launched the terror attack. “We have also recovered one AK 56 rifle, two magazines, one Chinese grenade and 49 rounds of AK ammunition from the possession of the slain militant,” he said.
Sonowal asked the DGP and State Finance Minister to rush to the area immediately and also directed the DGP to beef up security and to launch a vigorous drive to apprehend those behind the heinous act and also for efforts to instill a sense of security among the people.
Sonowal asked the district administration of Kokrajhar to ensure that the injured persons get proper free treatment and to shift the seriously injured to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital for advance treatment.