ULFA militant's mother's death sparks problems for government

Guwahati, Sept 10 (UNI) The death of a ULFA militant's aged mother, allegedly at the hands of security personnel on Friday night at Naomati in Nalbari district of lower Assam, today brought the entire district to a standstill, with the controversy being echoed in the political corridors of the state also.

Meanwhile, a 12-hour Nalbari district bandh called by the outlawed ULFA evoked complete response, particularly in the militancy-dominated pockets, police informed.

However, no untoward incident had been reported yet, the source added.

The death of a 60-year old woman, Sabitri Rajbonshi, mother of ULFA militant Bhaskar Rajbonshi, after being allegedly hit by rifle butts by CRPF and police jawans while trying to protect her daughter-in-law on Friday night, has sparked major allegations against the state government.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had ordered the lower Assam Deputy Commissioner to conduct an enquiry into the matter, after the district administration had instituted a magisterial enquiry and directed sub-divisional officer (sadar) S K Das to submit a report within seven days.

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has filed a petition before the Assam Human Rights Commission yesterday and also announced of observing September 12 as Black Day.

A 12-party conglomerate staged a demonstration against the alleged killing of Sabitri Rajbonshi here today. The main Opposition party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) had also reacted strongly against the killing, with its leaders also visiting the family in Nalbari yesterday.

Human rights' body Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS) has said it would take the government to the court and demanded a judicial probe, alleging that the killing was carried out on the orders of the government.

The chief minister holds the Home portfolio and has come under heavy criticism from all quarters following the death of the woman, which could lead to wider repercussions.

It has also brought back memories of the infamous 'secret killings' of the last decade in which entire families of ULFA leaders were allegedly killed by government-hired killers.

UNI