9 picked up in Pradeep Hazarika attack case

Sibsagar, May 10 (UNI) Police today rounded up ten people in connection with ULFA's attack on former Asom minister Pradeep Hazarika yesterday near Amguri, where two of his bodyguards were killed and five injured.

Police said seven people were picked up for interrogation by Amguri police station and two by Gaurisagar police station here.

''Sniffer dogs were taken today to the attack site near Amguri and investigation indicated that the assailants escaped through the Nagaland border,'' police added.

Police confirmed that four United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants, on motorbikes, attacked Mr Hazarika. The ULFA had cautioned him and five other AGP leaders for their alleged role in the ''secret killings'' of ULFA members.

Police rounded up Nirmal Gogoi in whose house the ultras had kept their motorbikes before committing the crime.

However, Hazarika's supporters here maintained that the attack was politically triggered.

Meanwhile, Mr Hazarika was today shifted to the AIIMS, Delhi, from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, where he was admitted yesterday.

Mr Hazarika is AGP candidate from Amguri constituency in this district.

UNI XC-SG KK OM KN1835