Tea garden worker killed in extortion case

Guwahati, Mar 15 (UNI) A tea garden worker was shot dead by suspected ULFA militants in Assam's Golaghat district today in an extortion related case.

The deceased, identified as Ratia Gaur(55), worked as a cook in the house of the manager of Mayuri tea estate, under Borpathar police station.

A group of about six militants had met Gaur at about midnight and enquired about the owner of the tea estate.

They had also taken the mobile phone number of the owner and tried to contact him. The owner, who lives in Golaghat town, had switched off his phone.

The militants stayed back for about an hour and shot dead Ratia from close range before leaving.

Police suspect it to be a case related to extortion as militants are known to demand money from the tea gardens at regular intervals.

UNI SG PL RR DS1344