Two ULFA, tea garden worker killed in separate incidents

Guwahati, Mar 15 (UNI) Two ULFA rebels were gunned down and a tea garden worker killed by the militants in separate incidents in Assam today, while a police team had a miraculous escape from an explosion late last night.

Police informed that two ULFA cadres were killed in a joint ambush by police and army in Silikhapathar area of North Lakhimpur district at about 0400 hours.

One 7.65 pistol, one .38 revolver and ammunition were recovered from them. However, three of the rebels managed to escape under cover of darkness, police added.

In a separate incident at Mayuri tea estate in Golaghat district, a cook in the house of the garden's manager was shot dead by ULFA militants in an extortion-related case at about 0100 hours.

A group of about six militants had called upon Ratia Gaur (55) at about 12 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 ultras 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.

Meanwhile, a patrol vehicle of the officer in-charge of Kakotibari police station in Sibsagar district had a narrow escape late last night when a blast went off seconds after the vehicle had passed the spot while returning from a night patrol.

ULFA rebels, holed up near the blast site, opened fire on the vehicle. The police, too, retaliated the fire. But the cadres managed to escape. No one was injured in the blast.

UNI SG PP PL RN1536