A CORRESPONDENT
BOKAKHAT: A grenade explosion occurred on Tuesday night at the CRPF camp in Panbari, Bokakhat, injuring three Assam Police personnel. Preliminary investigations by the police suggested possible involvement of rhino poachers or drug traffickers.
The grenade was hurled by the miscreants targeting the 11th Battalion Assam Police personnel stationed at the CRPF camp in Panbari between 8:20 pm and 8:25 pm. The injured personnel were immediately admitted to Shaheed Kamala Miri Civil Hospital in Bokakhat. Though all three are currently stable, they remain under medical care. Police on Wednesday detained two individuals suspected of involvement in the incident for interrogation. Grenade shrapnel was recovered from the site.
The injured personnel have been identified as Siddhartha Borbara, Sushil Bhumij, and Mintu Hazarika. All three are receiving treatment at Shaheed Kamala Miri Civil Hospital.
An operation is currently underway against the perpetrators under the leadership of Golaghat District Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajen Singh. According to the SP, the attack was likely an act of retaliation by poachers or drug traffickers attempting to challenge the police. Over the past year, Golaghat Police have conducted aggressive operations against these crimes, resulting in the arrest of 50 poachers, the killing of two in encounters, the seizure of 11 deadly weapons, and the foiling of over 10 poaching attempts. Additionally, significant quantities of drugs have been seized and destroyed, with many drug traffickers being arrested. It is suspected that this attack was carried out to demoralize the police force.
The SP stated that the culprits would be apprehended soon and that an appropriate response would be given to this heinous act.
Following the incident, Minister Atul Bora visited the hospital late on Tuesday night to meet the injured and instructed the doctors to ensure proper treatment. He condemned the act, saying that it was aimed at disrupting the region’s peace and stability. The minister also briefed Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma about the situation.
On Wednesday, District Commissioner Pulak Mahanta visited Bokakhat to assess the situation and held detailed discussions with police officials. He also visited the hospital to check on the injured personnel.
Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion on Tuesday night, causing widespread panic. Pieces of metal were reportedly found on rooftops in the surrounding area.
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