Kokrajhar shuts down

Toll rises to 14; NIA team visits violence-hit district;

CM reiterates NDFB-S involvement

BY OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI, Aug 6: After Friday’s mayhem in Kokrajhar in which 13 people were killed in indiscrimite firing, there is palpable fear and tension among the people in the BTAD region. Anger is clearly visible in the eyes of the people who lost their near and dear ones in Friday’s carge, though security forces have stepped up combing operations all over the district to b the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 14 on Saturday.  

Life in violence-hit Kokrajhar district came to a grinding halt on Saturday with markets and other establishments remaining closed and streets empty, except for security personnel aggressively patrolling sensitive areas.  

Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal meanwhile reiterated that NDFB-S was directly involved in Balajan Tiniali market shooting. “Ours is a zero tolerance approach towards terrorism…no compromise with terrorism. We are fully committed towards protecting life and property of the people and we consider it our first and foremost duty,” said Sonowal, adding, “Police have recovered vital information and contact numbers from the slain terrorist.”

Sonowal said, “Involvement of other groups with NDFB-S would also come to light soon as police have got vital clues, which could lead to a breakthrough in investigations.”

The Chief Minister visited the GMCH to take stock of the health of the injured and assured them of all help from the State government for their treatment. Five other seriously injured persons were brought to GMCH on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a four-member tiol Investigation Agency (NIA) team visited Kokrajhar to begin investigation, a day after the massacre.

The NIA team was sent from the agency’s branch here. However, they will wait for government orders to take over the case from local police. “A four-member Guwahati NIA team visited Kokrajhar on Saturday afternoon, but it will not take over the case from local police right now. We will wait for the government’s order,” said NIA sources.

Kokrajhar police have reportedly brought the passengers of the tempo which was used by the militants on Friday for questioning. One of the passengers said five persons from Jaoliapara village boarded the tempo bound for Balajan Tiniali market on Friday. When the tempo reached Sabhaijhar village, a youth wearing raincoat stopped the tempo and sat with the driver. He said the youth started firing from the tempo as soon as they reached the cattle market area and got down, and then continued to fire targeting the people. 

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

*    A four-member NIA team visit Kokrajhar

*    Police have recovered vital information and contact numbers from the slain terrorist: CM

*    Sonowal visits GMCH to take stock of the health of the injured

*    Himanta scotches reports of suicide attackers