Assam: Police, Army launch massive manhunt after ULFA cadres kill 2 of family in Tinsukia

A massive joint operation by the Assam Police, Army, CRPF and SSB has been launched to nab the three suspected ULFA(I) cadres who killed two persons and injured three others of a family in Tinsukia district.

"The incident was carried out by ULFA(I). We have identified three persons - Kalia, Udai and Jon. We are searching for them," Assam Director General of Police Khagen Sarma told reporters in Guwahati.

Refuting the charge that the targets of the attack were Hindi-speaking people, he said different sections of society are vulnerable and the police is "taking precautions".

On Tuesday night, Nandalal Shah (65) and his daughter Kajol Shah (21) were killed, while his wife, son and nephew were injured in indiscriminate firing by suspected ULFA(I) militants at his home in Bijuliban village under Pengeree police station in Tinsukia district.

Meanwhile, one person, identified as Dinabandhu Sarma, died when police made lathicharge to control an irate mob protesting in Makum against the killing.

Later, police even resorted to blank fire when people gathered for the second time to protest against Sarma's death. No one was injured.

Following the ULFA(I) attack and police lathicharge, Tinsukia SP Arnab Deka was immediately transferred to 1st APBn as Commandant, while Karbi Anglong SP Mugdhajyoti Dev Mahanta has been posted in his place.

To protest against the ULFA(I) killing and death of a person in police lathicharge, Bhojpuri Yuva Chatra Parishad and business associations of the district today called a 12-hour Tinsukia bandh since this morning.

"The bandh has been peaceful. We have not got any untoward report from any part of the city," Assam Police DIG (Administration) and spokesperson Pradip Ch Saloi said. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R M Singh has been camping in the district for the last two days and supervising the operations against ULFA(I).

Along with Singh, Assam Police DIG (Eastern Range) and four Commandants of different battalions are present. The authorities have already deployed four companies of additional forces in the area.