Assam Attack: Those Involved Will Not Be Spared, Promises Sonowal

The attack happened at the crowded Balajan Tinali market in Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Friday.

Three or four suspected terrorists indiscriminately opened fire in a crowded market in Assam. (Photo Courtesy: Anjana Dutta)

• A group of heavily armed militants opened fire at a crowded market place in Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Friday.
  
• At least 13 civilians dead, around 20 injured.
  
• One militant has been killed by security forces.
  
• Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the dead, Rs 1 lakh for those injured.
  
• Sonowal will visit the district to review the sitation on Sunday.
  
• Authorities blamed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by IK Songbijit for the attack.
  

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the site of Kokrajhar attack on Sunday to review the situation arising out of Friday’s terror attack which claimed 13 lives.

The Chief Minister claimed that the evidence collected so far proves that NDFB(S) is behind the incident, though a search operation is still underway.

Talking to the media, Sonowal said, “Investigation is going on. We tried to recreate the scene with help of driver of auto (in which attacker came) & co-passengers.

“ Our Govt is committed to ensuring security of Assam people, whoever is involved,will not be spared,” said CM Sonowal.

Sonowal, who was on a visit to New Delhi to brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the attack, returned on Saturday. He then visited the Gauhati Medical College Hospital to meet the injured victims.

Thirteen civilians were shot dead and around 20 injured by suspected terrorists at the crowded Balajan Tinali market in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, on Friday. However, there are conflicting reports on the total number of casualties.

Authorities blamed the “anti-talk faction” of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by IK Songbijit, who carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, for the massacre.

This is an exclusive picture of one of the attackers who was reportedly identified as Monjoy Islary.

Monjoy Islary, the suspected NDFB(S) militant who was killed after he opened fire in a market in Kokrajhar, Assam on Friday, 6 August 2016. (Photo Courtesy: Anjana Dutta)

A four-member team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the terror attack site on Saturday to probe into the matter.

Calling the act ‘cowardly’ and ‘dastardly’, Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured.

Ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh will be given to next of kin of people who died, Rs 1 lakh for the injured. Our government will take stern action against these extremist outfits. We will not tolerate any threat from any group. The Government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups.

Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam

An injured victim gets medical treatment in Kokrajhar. (Photo Courtesy: Anjana Dutta)

Six among those killed have been identified as Mazhar Ali, Salam Ali, Danda Basumatary, Moniram Basumatary, Parmeswar Basumatary and Tapan Chakraborty.

NSA Chief Ajit Doval has met Sonowal to discuss the incident.

We discussed the security scenario of Assam. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister also discussed the matter and extended condolences.

Ajit Doval

Watch The Quint’s video below to know more about the Kokrajhar attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the militant attack in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, and offered his condolences for 12 civilians who died in the attack on Friday.

It is suspected that three or four militants may be hiding and operations are on to nab them, Assam Director General of Police, Mukesh Sahay said.

State Finance, Education and Health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma rushed to the spot to review the situation and said that two militants were killed by the security forces.

PTI quoted Sarma as saying:

Two of the extremists have been neutralised and police is looking out for another six but at this stage these are my specific assessments as I am yet to talk to the SP.

Arms and ammunition used by the militants. (Photo Courtesy: Anjana Dutta)

Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about the firing.

We condemn the attack and the sorry state of affairs. Our government is committed to protect the people of Assam, we have directed senior officials to rush to the spot. Our Prime Minister and Home Minister have also discussed the matter with me a few minutes ago. They have expressed their condolences. 

Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam

An AK-47 has been recovered and security forces are trying to sanitise the area. Combing operations were undertaken immediately after the terrorist was killed. The entire area has been cordoned off by police and security personnel and the injured, many of them critical, are being shifted to nearby hospitals.

Additional security personnel were rushed to the market area after the firing. Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs has assured the victims help.

This is very unfortunate, we will assure that victims are taken care of. We will ask for more details of the attack from the state government and then decide what action needs to be taken.

Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State, Home Affairs

One AK-47 has been recovered and the security forces are trying to sanitise the area.(Photo Courtesy: Anjana Dutta)

(With agency inputs.)