Violence hits Assam again

Guwahati, Oct 20 (UNI) With the peace initiative running into the wall, killings and counter killing are back in Asom after a brief lull facilitated by the unilateral truce announced by the Union government.

The Army resumed counter-insurgency operation against the banned ULFA in full steam on September 22 as the Centre decided against extension of the temporary unilateral truce for the failure on part of the ULFA to send its commitment in black and white for direct peace talks with the government.

Since then news of killings by both the ULFA and the security forces, explosions triggered by the ultras have been hitting headlines in the state much to the chagrin of those yearning for a respite from violence and bloodletting.

A police source informed that the ULFA had embarked on rampant extortion drive making life miserable for susceptible small traders in the semi urban areas in the stare. Those who have failed to comply with ULFA's demand for money are running a risk to their lives given that the outfit has gunned down three traders; Ghanashyam Jaju of Dhemaji, O P Agarwala of Moranhat and Dilip Bora of Pengeri -- since September 22.

The militant groups has also trained its gun on surrendered militants from both the ULFA and Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) and has so far killed three surrendered ULFA cadres Ajoy Medhi of Sarthebari, Raj Kumar Sangmai of Moran and Sashi Kalita of Baihata Chariali. It also killed former BLT cadre Gautom Lashkar from Goreswar in Bagsa district of the state.

Holonghabi Tea Estate Manager H N Das was gunned down by he ULFA militants in front of his official residence in the evening of September 22.

The militant groups targeted police and the Army on many occasion during the period since September 22. A police constable was killed at Borboruah in Dibrugarh district on Septemberr 22. The group has detonated at least 13 explosions including IED blasts in the state during the period. Six of these grenade attacks were aimed at different police stations while two IEDs were exploded under Army vehicles.

On the other hand the Army and the police too have intensified operation against the ULFA and succeeded in restricting the mobility of ultras especially in its stronghold in Upper Assam. The Army and police have killed at least five ULFA militants during the period while two ULFA bomb carriers got killed after the explosives in their possession went off accidentally.

A senior ULFA cadre Prasanta Gohain, a close aide of ULFA commander in chief Paresh Baruah surrendered before the police in Dibrugarh district during the period while the Army busted two ULFA camps Lohit-Tengapani reserve forest and Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh. The Army while busting Namsai camp of the outfit killed two ULFA ultras. The security forces apprehended at least six ULFA cadres since September 22 last.

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