Tension prevails in Assam's Tinsukia a day after killing of five persons

GUWAHATI: A day after the cold-blooded killing of five persons at Dhola in Assam’s Tinsukia district, tension prevails even as security forces have launched a search operation to nab the killers involved in the Thursday evening’s mayhem.

Normal life was hit following dawn-to-dusk shutdown called by the All Assam Bengali Youth Students Federation across the district in protest against the killing of five persons by unidentified gunmen using automatic rifles from a close range. The incident took place at Kherbari, about 30 km from Tinsukia town.

Assam DGP, Kuladhar Saikia said investigations were on to find out who were involved in the killings.

“We are thoroughly probing the incident. Our operations are on, and the killers will not be let off. We are taking all measures so that such incident does not happen again,” Saikia, who was at the spot of crime, said.




Meanwhile, police have detained two pro-talk Ulfa leaders Mrinal Hazarika and Jiten Dutta for interrogation even as anti-talk Ulfa (I) has denied its involvement in Thursday’s killing.

However, pro-talk Ulfa leader Anup Chetia condemned the killings saying that taking lives of innocent people cannot be justified. He blamed the government for its failure to provide adequate security to the citizens. He said no individual or organisation should try to fish in trouble water by issuing instigative statement.

Three cabinet ministers Kesab Mahanta, Tapan Gogoi and Parimal Suklabaidya also reached Kherbari to take stock of the situation.

“Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has already instructed the police chief to ensure that killers are nabbed as early as possible. We condemn the killings in harshest words. At the same time we appeal everyone should help in creating an atmosphere of peace and trust,” Gogoi said.




On Thursday, around 8.30 pm a group of armed persons in olive green fatigues called up six persons who were sitting at a grocery shop near India’s longest Dhola-Sadiya bridge. The persons were lined up and fired upon from a close range. One person escaped unhurt, while five died on the spot.