Reward announced for information on ULFA topshots

Guwahati, May 19 (UNI) A cash reward of Rs 5 lakh was announced today by the Kamrup district administration for anyone who could provide information on the whereabouts of two hardcore ULFA militants.

In the wake of continuous ULFA attacks, the district administration has, for the first time, taken such a decision to nab the leaders of the banned ultra outfit.

Posters of ULFA commander Heera Sarania alias Diamond alias Naba Deka and a top cadre Saranga Patwari alias Arnab Thapa alias Akash Thapa have been put up at several parts of the city, police said.

Police said Sarania, who heads the outfit's operation in lower Asom, is a resident of Baksa.

''He had masterminded several major strikes in different parts of lower Asom,'' sources said.

Another 'absconding accused' Saranga Patowary was arrested two years ago, but after getting out on bail, he joined the outfit again.

Saranga was involved in all the blasts in the city in the last few months, police said.

Hours after the Fancy Bazar area was rocked by yet another blast yesterday, the city police had sent a letter to the Asom Police headquarters, seeking five more companies of Asom Police personnel, besides 500 additional home guards and volunteers.

Thirteen people were injured when an IED exploded at Jail Road in the busy Fancy Bazar area of Guwahati yesterday, which is the second blast in the city in five days.

This is also the fifth blast in the area, where majority of residents are Hindi-speaking, within a span of six months.

On May 14, two persons were killed and 17 others injured in a blast triggered by the ULFA at the Athgaon area in the city.

UNI