Dispur issues alert, CM warns of counterattack

Assam police, CRPF, SSB and army launch massive joint operation

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 15: The killing of a businessman and his daughter at Pengeree in Tinsukia district on Tuesday night by suspected ULFA militants has set off a huge outcry among Hindi-speakers in the district, forcing a leaden-footed State government to issue another alert to all districts. Dispur has warned that district administration and police officials found responsible for lapses in the wake of the Pengeree attack, will face stern action. Talking to The Sentinel, State Home Commissioner LS Changsan informed that despite specific inputs about a likely attack by ultras, the Tinsukia police failed to take preventive action. The lapses will be pinpointed and the officials responsible will be taken to task, Changsan warned.

Referring to the general alert issued to all districts after the Indian army’s cross border operation against NSCN(K) ultras deep inside Myanmar last month, Changsan said that another alert has now been issued to all deputy commissioners and superintendents of police in view of the Pengeree attack and the Independence Day a month away. Besides, all DCs and SPs have been directed to be watchful so that sundry groups and organisations do not take advantage of protests or minor incidents to create major law and order problems, in the backdrop of hassles with the NRC update process and approaching 2016 elections.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday, warned of stringent counter-terrorist operations to neutralise the militants responsible for the Pengeree attack. The Assam police along with the army, CRPF and SSB have already launched a massive joint operation to apprehend the culprits involved in the incident in which two persons were brutally gunned down and another three were injured.

Addl director general of police (Law & Order) RM Singh, along with DIGP(ER) Jorhat and four commandants of different battalions are camping at Pengeree. Four companies of additiol forces have already been deployed in the area.

It may be mentioned that on Tuesday evening at around 8.45 pm, three suspected ULFA militants opened fire at the courtyard of businessman ndalal Shah at Bijuliban village under Pengeree police station, Tinsukia. ndalal Shah (65) died on the spot and his daughter Kajol Shah (21) died on the way to Doomdooma hospital. Shah’s wife Monti Devi (50) and nephew Manoj Shah (11) and one Akshaylal Shah sustained bullet injuries. They have been admitted in the Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh.