Hindi speaking tea grower, daughter Killed in Ulfa attack in Assam

GUWAHATI: Tension has gripped Upper Assam following the killing of two Hindi speaking people by the proscribed militant outfit, anti talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom.

ULFA (Independent), which is also known as anti-talk faction under the elusive commander in chief, Paresh Baruah, gunned down petty tea grower Nanda Lal Shah and his daughter in Pengiri area in Tinsukia district on Tuesday. A senior police official confirmed that Shah was served with Rs 5 lakh ransom demand by the militant outfit.

Tinsukia, which shares border with Arunachal Pradesh, is in close proximity to Myanmar border and has a huge population of Hindi speaking settlers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It has always been soft targets of militant outfits.

An alert has been sounded in the state. Locals called a 12 hour bandh in Tinsukia in protest against the incident. Roads too were blocked in several areas. Assam Police along with Army, CRPF and SSB launched an operation in Tinsukia. Companies of additional forces have also been deployed. Police restored to baton charge on protesters in Makum. Several people were injured.

Inputs received by Intelligence agencies suggest Paresh Baruah has asked senior leader Dhristi Rajkhowa to target security forces in and around the Goalpara area and Hindi speaking areas in Upper Assam. A senior officer in intelligence wing said there is pressure on Baruah to strike as Khaplang, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and Kangleipak Communist Party have killed many security force personnel.

Assam government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said ULFA indulges in such activity before elections. "We will deal firmly with militants," he said.