Defeat anti-tiol forces, says CM at Kokrajhar

BTAD VIOLENCE

Sonowal chairs Unified Command meet, seeks stern action against perpetrators

BY OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI/KOKRAJHAR, Aug 7: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal visited Kokrajhar on Sunday to take stock of the situation arising out of Friday’s terror attack which claimed 14 lives.

Chairing a Strategy Group meeting of the Unified Command at Kokrajhar Circuit House, Sonowal directed the police, Army, CRPF and other para-military forces to deal with the latest violence in Kokrajhar with stern action.

“Vigil should be stepped up to foil the sinister designs of anti-tiol forces,” Sonowal said, appealing to the people to nip in the bud nefarious designs of these forces and to maintain peace and harmony at any cost.

The Chief Minister said evidence of direct involvement of NDFB(S) in the Kokrajhar violence had been unearthed.

Keeping in mind Independence Day around the corner, Sonowal directed the civil and police administration to be on high alert and to beef up security to thwart any evil designs of anti-tiol forces.

He directed the DCs and SPs to hold security review meetings and garik samiti meetings and to take all precautiory and preventive measures to avoid any untoward incident.

Emerging from the meeting, the Chief Minister told mediapersons that his government will not compromise with terrorism “Ours is a zero tolerance approach towards terrorism. We are fully committed towards protecting life and property of the people,” he added.

Earlier, Sonowal met the family members of those killed in the incident and expressed his heartfelt condolences. He also visited the Balajan Tili Weekly Market - the site of the incident - and interacted with the local people.

ADGP LR Bishnoi, who was present on the spot, explained in detail Friday’s incident to the Chief Minister.

After returning from Kokrajhar, Sonowal met the State Governor at Raj Bhavan on Sunday and discussed the whole situation in detail.

BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary said he was happy to see the visit of Sarbanda Sonowal and his timely action for the victims’ families. He said the denial of the NDFB after creating terror is a common ploy. He said the outfit should come forward for peace talks with the Government of India.

Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay also visited the incident site on Sunday. He said the evil designs of the NDFB will be dealt with iron hands. He said the parents of the slain militant have refused to accept the dead body as their son, but the D test will reveal the truth.

Former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa also visited Balajan Tiniali and met the victims’ families. Mahanta said the militants involved in the gruesome attack must be brought to book. He was also accompanied by some MLAs.

Meanwhile, ex-gratia for Rs 5 lakh each has been paid to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh each to the grievously injured and Rs 20,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.