TIA NEWS
At least 14 innocent people were killed and 20 seriously injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at the weekly Balajan Tiniali Bazar near Kokrajhar town, headquarters of the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) administration of Assam.
According to official report exchange of fire between security forces and suspected militants occurred at Balajan Tiniali area in Kokrajhar district. Assam Chief Secretary said 13 civilians and one militant were killed in the firing at Kokrajhar.
This area has been known for long to be terrorist infested and it is strange that the police administration and the BJP state government did not take adequate measures to protect the life and property of the people.
Centre is closely monitoring the situation arising out of the reported militant attack in Kokrajhar district of Assam today. Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to state Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal over the incident who apprised him of the prevailing situation. The Chief Minister also talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.
Talking to media in New Delhi, Mr. Sonowal said, his government was committed to take stern action against perpetrators of the Kokrajhar incident. Talking to newspersons in New Delhi today, Mr. Sonowal said that the government has granted five lakh rupees of ex gratia to the family of the deceased and 1 lakh rupees to the injured.
He said that Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and a team of senior officials will reach the spot to assess situation. He appealed all to maintain peace. On the other hand, Health minister Himanta Biswa suspected that NDFB Songbijit faction was involved in the incident. He said injured persons are being shifted to Barpeta medical college and they will be treated free of cost.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his condolences for the lives lost and said the Home Ministry is in touch with the Assam Government and is monitoring the situation closely. PM Modi said in a tweet, “Saddened by the attack in Kokrajhar. We strongly condemn it. Thoughts & prayers with the bereaved families & those injured.”
Minister of State for Home Affair Kiren Rijiju also reacted to the attack. “This is very unfortunate, we will assure that victims are taken care of,” said Rijiju.
BJP MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Twitter: “Shocked at barbaric violence and death of innocents in Kokrajhar. Rushing to the spot. May god give courage to the bereaved.”
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also tweeted saying, “News of the terror attack in Kokrajhar, Assam extremely worrying. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims,” said Gandhi from his official Twitter account OfficeofRG.
CPI (M) strongly condemns the suspected terrorist attack. The Polit Bureau of the CPI (M) demands that the security apparatus be strengthened to protect life and property and all efforts must be made to identify and punish the guilty