ULFA attacks leave 48 dead, 20 injured; combing among shock waves

Guwahati/Patna, Jan 6 (UNI) Even as the escalating violence of the banned ULFA left 48 dead, most of whom were Hindi-speaking people, and 20 injured in Asom, an intense search operation was started to bring the culprits to justice.

Armed operations against ULFA were intensified in Asom and a red alert was sounded across the state following last night's carnage.

''A red alert has been sounded throughout the state. I have instructed that all strong and effective steps be taken to maintain peace, law and order in the state,'' state Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters here.

''We have already sent signal message to all concerned, including security forces, to take strong measures against the ULFA militants.

The security operations have already begun,'' Mr Gogoi said.

''I strongly condemn the brutal killing of poor and innocent people. Such senseless killing is an act of cowardice and not of heroism. It will retard the economic progress of the state and lower the prestige and image of Asom,'' Mr Gogoi pointed out.

A red alert was sounded in Bihar as well, as a precautionary measure to check any possible backlash, with Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal and high-level delegation from Bihar due to visit the state tomorrow.

Curfew was also clamped in Tinsukia this evening, which reported the highest number of six attacks of the total nine last night.

Mr Gogoi confirmed that 48 people were killed in the nine shoot-outs last night, starting from about 1600 hours and continuing late into the night.

While 34 people were killed in Tinsukia district, eight were killed in Dibrugarh and six in Dhemaji districts.

Mr Gogoi said, ''This is undoubtedly the handiwork of ULFA. We strongly condemn cowardly act of killing innocent, unarmed, poor people.'' He pointed out that most strikes were in inaccessible areas and the government would take stringent measures against the ULFA.

Main opposition party Asom Gana Parishad and conglomerate of 12 other parties in the state also condemned the killings.

The Chief Minister announced ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh to next of kin of those killed, Rs 50,000 for the seriously wounded and Rs 10,000 for those with minor injuries.

Of the 20 injured, four of whom were in intensive care, would receive free medical aid and would be shifted outside the state for specialised treatment on government expenses, if needed.

Last night's killings bear close resemblance to similar ULFA attacks on Hindi-speaking population in 2001 and 2003. The outfit had issued a statement last month warning these people to leave the state.

It had gone on to state that 'infiltration from mainland India' was posing a greater threat to Asom than 'infiltration from across the border'.

Eds: Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI