Assam: Security Forces Exchange Fire With Ultras In Tinsukia

GUWAHATI: An exchange of fire between security personnel and suspected ultras occurred on Monday near Pengeri in Tinsukia region of Assam, according to a spokesperson for the defense.

Defence PRO Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said in Guwahati that  an army area domination party moving at Barpathar in the Digboi-Pengeri area, came under fire by suspected militants  from a nearby forest at around 9.20 a.m.

The Army squad was patrolling the area in Barpathar when the firing began and the squad retaliated, at which the ultras beat a retreat, he claimed.

As a result, the Digboi-Pengeri road has been temporarily closed for security concerns. According to sources, a grenade detonation nearby allegedly sparked the opening of fire between the two sides. At the time this report was submitted, no injuries or casualties were reported.

The purported ultras' identities have not yet been determined. Awaiting more information

According to earlier reports, security forces and ULFA -I (United Liberation Front of Asom- Independent) members engaged in another altercation early on Friday in the Tinsukia region. The police were informed that six ULFA cadres had infiltrated the area with weapons, said Tinsukia SP Debojit Deori. According to him, an operation by the police and security forces resulted in an encounter during which one of the group's cadres was slain.

In the future, the Assam government has planned to offer "special" benefits to surrendered ultras. To aid in the state's future development, the state government has been considering recruiting militants from various state organizations who have recently turned themselves in.

The state government has been preparing incentives for the financial payments given in the future to the state's surrendered insurgents.

At a previous event in the city, Assam's chief minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, distributed financial aid to 318 ultras who had previously turned themselves in and belonged to at least five militant groups. He also said that the state government might introduce a new program that would include the militants who had turned themselves in.

According to additional sources, the state's home department has been considering integrating the militants who have turned themselves into various police battalions in the future.

Additionally, CM Sarma gave cheques totaling Rs. 1.5 lakh to each of the militants who turned themselves in and belonged to the United Gorkha People's Organization (UGPO), Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA), Kuki National Liberation Army, Kuki Liberation Front, Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA), and United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFAI) (ULFA-I).

Also read: Youths Arrested on their Way to Join ULFA (I)

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