Assam killings: Second bandh in 48 hours, clashes with students reported

Guwahati: The 24-hour shutdown called by several Bengali organisations in Assam, including the All Assam Bengali Youth Students Federation, to protest the deaths of five people in Tinsukia district, has affected the normal life in various parts of the state.

The incident took place at the Kherabari area, near Dhola-Sadiya bridge under Sadiya assembly constituency of Upper Assam. Sources said that six men were abducted by unidentified gunmen and were later shot near Brahmaputra river.

Four people died on the spot and one succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. Another injured person was rushed to the hospital.
Initially, it was suspected that United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) -- Ulfa (I) -- had killed the group. But later, in a written statement, ULFA (I) has denied any involvement in the killing of five men on Thursday (November 1).

Several clash incidents between bandh supporters, police and bandh against people have been reported in Hojai, Silchar, Karimganj, Nagaon, Dhubri, Guwahati. Police have detained over 1,500 bandh supporters from different parts of the state. Congress and BJP also came out in support of bandh in Barak Valley.

The Assam government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and a job for the next of the kin of the deceased. The state police on Friday launched a "massive combing operation" to look for the culprits.

A group of women had blocked Dhola-Tinsukia highway to protest against the killings of five men. They burnt tyres in the middle of the road to demonstrate their anger.

Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal condemned "the killing of innocent people" and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families. The CM appealed to the people of Assam to maintain peace and harmony.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday condemned the killing and blamed BJP’s NRC programme for the killings.

Banerjee tweeted: "Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia and the killing of Shyamlal Biswas, Ananta Biswas, Abhinash Biswas, Subodh Das. Is this the outcome of recent NRC development."

Home minister Rajnath Singh on Twitter said, "Deeply anguished by civilian casualties in an attack in Upper Assam region. It is a reprehensible act of mindless violence. Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal regarding the incident and asked him to take strict possible action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime."