Three killed in firing, ULFA blasts continue in Asom

Guwahati, Jan 24 (UNI) Three youths, mistaken for ULFA cadres, were shot dead by a patrol at Geloki in Asom's Tinsikua district late last night.

A judicial probe has been ordered into the killing as it was likely to trigger a backlash against the security forces, even as the ULFA mayhem continued in the run-up to the Republic Day.

While two youths, Dul Gogoi and Butun Gogoi, died on the spot, the third, identified as Arup Saikia, succumbed to his injuries at the Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh.

Official sources said here that a patrol party of the Central Industrial Security Forces(CISF) had opened fire on the three youths at Geloki, suspecting them to be members of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

But it was established later that the youths were not involved with the banned militant outfit.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who heads the Unified Command structure, has ordered a judicial enquiry into the killing.

Meanwhile, Congress members were reported to be quitting the party en masse in upper Asom, especially Tinsukia district, following ULFA's diktat to Congress workers to leave or face its wrath.

However, the Congress was yet to confirm the reports.

MORE UNI