Toll in ULFA attacks mounts to 48, Bihar in shock

Guwahati, Jan 6 (UNI) The toll in spiralling acts of violence scripted by ULFA in eastern Asom rose to 48 today, with confirmation of loss of 17 more lives.

Nine shooting incidents were spread over Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Dhemaji districts. While one occurred in Dhemaji and two in Dibrugarh districts, the rest were reported from Tinsukia district.

Highest casualties were reported from Tinsukia at 34. Eight casualties were reported from Dibrugarh and six from Dhemaji.

Another 20 people were wounded, four of whom were presently in the Intensive care unit in Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh.

The government has announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh for next of kin of those fatally shot. Those with major injuries would get Rs 50,000 and with minor injuries Rs 10,000.

The banned ULFA scripted a horror story mowing down mostly Hindi-speaking people in a string of attacks overnight across the state.

Official sources today said the United Liberation Front of Asom triggered a series of coordinated blasts and shootings since last night killing several people in eastern Asom.

Reports stated that ten people were gunned down in other incidents. Most of those killed were Hindi-speaking migrant labourers.

Meanwhile, in Patna the Bihar government sounded a red alert and sent a delegation of ministers to Asom to assess the security arrangements of Biharis residing there.

The Bihar government also announced an ex gratia of Rs one lakh for kin of each victim of the carnage hailing from Bihar.

EDS: Pls pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI