Simmering tension prevailed in and around the Chokihola area of eastern Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Saturday, where suspected militants belonging to the Karbi Peoples’ liberation Tiger (KPlT) on Friday killed four Naga villagers.
Indefinite curfew had been imposed in and around the area since late last night and three companies of additional forces have already been deployed in the troubled areas so that the violence cannot escalate. “There is no report of any fresh violence. However, we have decided to continue with the curfew. Three companies of additional forces had moved in to the affected areas last night and they have been helping the police to maintain law and order,” said State Commissioner Secretary (Home) GD Tripathy.
A group of heavily armed KPlT militants attacked Khoaani village near Chokihola under Bokajan subdivision in the district on the wee hours of Friday and set some houses on fire. The militants also fired indiscriminately, killing four people instantly including three women. There is also report that a Naga militant outfit-Rangma Naga Hills Protection Force (RNHPF) had retaliated and launched a counter attack on the KPlT militants, killing two of the KPlT militants. However, their bodies have not been recovered so far.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. The search operations have been on but we have not recovered anybody of KPlT militants from the place of occurrence till today morning,” said Tripathy. He said that the administration had to open up three relief camps at Chokihola and Barpathar areas as some people had left their houses due to fear psychosis and about 500 people are taking shelter in the relief camps.
“We have intensified security arrangements in and around the affected villages and we are trying to convince the affected people to return to their villages at the earliest,” Tripathi said adding that the curfew will, however, continue for some time.