Also, the security forces had gunned down one of the three militants on Friday. In Bodoland, even members of the minority communities, including Muslims, credit the BJP government at the Centre for stemming violence in the region.
Advertisement
Police said one attacker had died and several people had received gunshot injuries, but did not confirm local media reports that around a dozen people had been killed. “The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups”, an official statement quoting the Chief Minister said.
Sonowal cut short his visit to the national capital and returned to Assam on Friday evening after the terror attack and instructed state police to arrest those involved the in it. “It is a militant attack and we will be sending a team from Delhi to investigate further”, he added.
Police block the area near the spot of attack at a market in Kokrajhar District, Indian northeastern state of Assam, on August 5, 2016. He said, he is saddened by the attack and his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and those injured.
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has briefed Union Home minister Rajnath Singh on the situation in Kokrajhar over telephone. Home Minister also spoke to Sonowal about the attack and said his ministry was monitoring the situation.
He blamed the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland, Songbijit, a militant outfit fighting for a separate homeland for the indigenous Bodo tribespeople.
Home Affairs said, this is very unfortunate, we will assure that victims are taken care of.
Sources said the three or four masked gunmen, wearing Army-style fatigues, struck at Balajan Tiniali near the town, about 220 km west of Guwahati, around noon, leaving at least 12 civilians dead.
Advertisement
“Our government is committed to the protection of people of Assam and that is why we have immediately directed the Director General of Police and other senior police officials to rush to the spot”, he said.
