BILASIPARA, Sept 1: Ratan Nath, an ULFA militant has been killed at Rupshi, near Guripur on August 30 in an encounter with the security forces, according to a report received here yesterday. [S]

ULFA snipes at SULFA apartment in city

GUWAHATI, Sept 1: A group of suspected ULFA militants opened fire at the Tenant Apartment at Uday Path, Zoo Road where several SULFA leaders reside at around 2.30 p.m. today. Although the bullet pierced through the glass of window of the apartment, nobody was injured in the firing. Police later recovered two empty cartridges from the spot. Police said that the ULFA militants did target the SULFA leader, Mr Abinash Bordoloi who had surrendered before the Kamrup district administration on August 14 this year. Our Correspondent from Itakhola adds: Meanwhile, a National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militant was killed in an encounter with the Army at Madhupur-Jaisiddhi area near Itakhola last night. Another militant managed to escape. [S]

UBLF ultras gun down CPM leader

AGARTALA, Sept 1: United Bengali Liberation Front (UBLF) militants shot dead a CPI(M) leader, Tapan Chakrabarty, at Kalyanpur in Khowai subdivision of West Tripura district Thursday night. This is for the first time that the UBLF has resorted to selective killing of any politician. Chakrabarty became target for, what the UBLF said, "Overt anti-Bengali" activities during the recent riots in Kalyanpur area. [AT]

Tripura rebels kill 8 hostages AGARTALA, Sept 2: The Borok National Council of Tripura militants gunned down eight non-tribal hostages on Wednesday in their hideout in Taraboncherra in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The news of the cold-blooded massacre of the Bengali fishermen and labourers reached Gandacherra sub-division yesterday. All the victims, abducted in June this year, were buried in the thick jungles near the camp of the newly-formed outfit. Four fishermen -- Priyalal Debnath, Kshitish Debnath, Parimal Sarkar and Lalit Debnath -- were abducted by the Borok activists from Dumbur lake in Gandacherra sub-division in the first week of June. [TT]

Two NDFB militants shot dead

NALBARI, Sept 2: Two unidentified National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militants were shot dead by Army jawans at Godhuligaon in Barpeta district today. Two Chinese grenades and some incriminating documents were recovered from the slain militants. [S]

One shot dead in Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR, Sept 2: In a continuous and sporadic killing incidents in Kokrajhar after the killing of Bineswar Brahma, president BSS, a gang of unidentified gunmen shot dead one Mr Tularam Narzary (20) son of Mahendra Narzary at Alangi Bazar, under Serfanguri at about 10 p.m. According to police source, Mr Tularam Narzary was sleeping when the incident took place and he was a HS 1st year student of Janata College, Serfanguri. [S]

Colours of Terrorism [Editorial, The Sentinel, 3 September, 2000] When there are three or four news items on the supply of arms to uneducated, unprincipled young men of different ethnic groups of a particular society or about their training in arms, or about youths sniping at a city apartment, on the front page of a single day's issue of any newspaper, it is time to conclude that the society is very sick indeed. Here are healthy youths of more than average intelligence and enterprise who have decided to stay away from colleges, because they realize that today most university degrees are often not even worth the paper they are printed on. [S]

ASI shot dead by Garo militants

TURA, Sept 2: In the most gruesome case ever to have occurred in Garo Hills, suspected militants belonging to the A'chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) shot dead an unarmed assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in his house at Bajengdoba on Thursday night. The militants barged into his house at around 8.30 in the night and shot him dead before fleeing from the scene of the crime. [AT]

Jawan killed in Tripura landslide

AGARTALA, Sept 3: A Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawan has been killed and an engineer injured in a landslide at Baramura Hill range in West Tripura district, police said on Saturday. [AT]

Hard-core ULFA cadre shot dead

TINSUKIA, Sept 5: The self-styled second lieutenant and a member of the cultural wing of the central committee of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Ajit Borgohain was shot dead by a joint team of Tinsukia police and the troops of the 2 Mountain Division near Rupahi under Doomdooma police station in Tinsukia district yesterday. [S]

People lynch NLFT militant in Tripura

AGARTALA, Sept 5 (UNI): Local people hacked to death a hard-core National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militant while ultras kidnapped five people during the past 24 hours in Tripura. Police said here today that a top NLFT ultra Arun Debbarma, wanted in several cases of killing, kidnapping, rape and arson, was caught by villagers of Karaimura village under Bishalgarh police station in West Tripura. Thereafter he was paraded before the houses that had fallen victim to his crimes before being hacked to death. A delayed report said here that last week the ultras had abducted two women from Jarulbachai areas under Bishalgarh police station in West Tripura. [S]

Tribal bank manager shot dead

AGARTALA, Sept 6: A tribal manager of Taidu Gramin Bank was killed along with another passenger and six others were seriously injured when an unidentified group of militants ambushed their jeep.
Police also recovered bodies of two tribals, identified as Pacchiram Reang and Sanjib Reang, killed in a separate incident in remote Chaplingcherra under Natunbazar police station in South Tripura, the sources added. [TT]

Cases of weapon snatching on the rise in Manipur

IMPHAL, Sept 6: Including Monday's weapons snatching case from the Manipur Police team by a group of armed militants near Sinam Kuki village on NH 39 sector on Moreh line, a total of 69 service weapons have been snatched away by militants from different places since January this year. [AT]

A rally being taken out by Bongaigaon District Boro Sahitya Sabha in protest against the killing of Bineswar Brahma, president, Boro Sahitya Sabha and Mohini Basumatary, MLA 33 LAC on September 1 last. The Assam Tribune photo.

1 hacked to death

JORHAT, Sept 8: One Niranjan Baruah (35) of Garamur Borsatra in Majuli was arrested today for hacking his younger brother Biman Baruah (30) to death over a family feud yesterday night. [AT]

NDFB ultra killed

GUWAHATI, Sept 8: A National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militant was killed in an encounter with the Army at Joyratipur in Nalbari district last night, a PIB release said. [S]

Ultras kill three woodcutters

GOLAKGANJ, Sept 8: Suspected militants shot dead three woodcutters at Kalapahar forests under Mankachar police station along the Assam-Meghalaya border in Dhubri district yesterday. The three woodcutters have been identified as Sher Khalil (25), Lalchand Miyan (20) and Khuthi Mullah (40). Police later recovered their bodies. [S]

Housewife, 3 minors strangled

SILCHAR, Sept 8: A housewife along with three minors were strangled to death by some unidentified assailants at East Devipur village under Dholai block in South Assam's Cachar district last night. [TT]

Ultra killed

GUWAHATI, Sept 9: One suspected ULFA militant was killed in an encounter with the Army in the Sarthebari area of Barpeta district early this morning, police sources said here. [AT]

Police commando killed in Manipur ambush

IMPHAL, Sept 9: At least one police commando was killed and two others were injured seriously in an ambush this morning by underground militants at Nungoo Lampkai under Sugunu police station in Thoubal district. [AT]

NDFB mows down 6 including 3 NFR employees

GOLOKGANJ, Sept 9: The three employees of the Northeast Frontier Railway, who had been killed on the spot when a gang of about 20 to 25 National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) opened fire at them in the dense forest at a place between Tipkai and Monglajhara under Bogoribari police station in Bilasipara subdivision at around 8.30 last night, were identified as -- Mr Tarun Rabha, Mr Dhaneswar Kalita and Mr Sakal Dev. Though the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel accompanying the railway employees, retaliated the firing, the militants managed to escape unhurt. [S]

24 Tripura rebels killed

AGARTALA, Sept 9: The rift between National Liberation Front of Tripura and the Reang-dominated Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) has taken a turn for the worse. Nearly 24 rebels were killed in a clash at NLFT's Thangnan base camp in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh on September 3. Reports said a group of BNLF militants had been invited to the NLFT camp at Thangnan to iron out differences and negotiate the release of BNLF supremo Surjyamoni Reang, being held hostage at NLFT's base camp since July this year.
However, the discussion degenerated into a heated debate followed by a gunbattle. At least 14 NLFT and 10 BNLF militants died on the spot while 20 were seriously injured, The fate of BNLF supremo Surjyamani Reang could not be ascertained. [TT]

ULFA militant shot dead

JORHAT, Sept 10: ULFA leader Babu Saikia alias Tridip Dutta alias Swaraj Dutta, wanted in connection with the murder of AVARD-NE general secretary Sanjay Ghosh in July 4, 1997, was shot dead by the police during an encounter today. The ultra, who carried a Rs 1 lakh reward on his head, was riding bicycles along with three others when they came face to face with a mobile police patrol at Chinatoli Kumargaon near Bongaon in Majuli at about 11 am today. When ordered to stop, the insurgents opened fire and the police retaliated. While Babu was killed, the others managed to escape. [AT]

Bineswar Brahma's killer shot dead in City

GUWAHATI, Sept 11: In a major breakthrough, the city police last night shot dead a self-styled 'lance corporal' of the NDFB, Bishnu Boro alias B Bwbhang and apprehended another 'surgeant major' Amar Jyoti Sarania alias B Okha, involved in the brutal killing of Bodo Sahitya Sabha president Bineswar Brahma that took place near Bhetapara on August 19 last. [AT]

The killer gun: Kamrup city SP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta showing the Chinese-made .9mm pistol which was used by NDFB militant Bishnu Boro to kill Bineswar Brahma on August 19 (L). The arrested militant Amar Jyoti (R). Photos: The Assam Tribune (L) and Asomiya Pratidin (R).

Encounter in Golaghat district

BOKAKHAT, Sept 11: In an encounter between a Golaghat district police team and suspected underground militant, one unidentified ultra was killed at Rangenali foothill of Deopahar near Nemaligarh Tea estate at around 3-30 am this morning. [AT]

Body of murder victim recovered

GUWAHATI, Sept 11: The body of a brutally-killed youth, Joydev Dutta alias Pinku (27) was recovered from a road at Sitalabari of Bamunimaidam railway colony this morning by police. Chandmari PS officer-in-charge N C Gogoi informed that the deceased must have been killed in the wee hours this morning in a brutal manner before being dumped on the road.

Meanwhile, city police (border) today arrested a total of 85 Nepali personnel from Fatasil area for running a racket of bringing in Nepalese citizens into the city without valid documents and sending them to various places. They would be deported in a day or two. [AT]

Dadara unit BJP chief murdered

SUALKUCHI, Sept 11: In a sensational murder case, Binandi Pathak (65), president of the Dadara unit of BJP, was strangulated with an electric coil inside his grocery shop at Dadara under Hajo police station about 15 kilometre from here recently. It was learnt that some miscreants had issued him extortion notices earlier but it could not be known whether any amount of money actually changed hands. [AT]

2 shot dead near Paneri

UDALGURI, Sept 12: A group of five armed miscreants shot dead Krishna Bahadur Thapa (48), secretary of village defence organization of No. 3 Lissinggaon village under Paneri police station in Darrang district, and Gobinda Dahal (42) at midnight last night. They were called out from their houses by the miscreants and taken to a village road where they were shot dead. The reason behind the killings is not known. [S]

Missing PLA leader's body recovered

IMPHAL, Sept 12: The bullet-riddled body of the missing People's Liberation Army leader, Tomcha Meitei alias M.C. Simson, was found early this morning at Imphal's Singjamei Chinga-mathak Thockchom Leikai. Assam Rifles officials at Kangla Fort said the top PLA leader was killed in an encounter this morning. However, Simson's wife, Sundari Devi, alleged in a petition filed at Gauhati High Court today that her husband died in the custody of the Assam Rifles. [TT]

Youth killed

AGARTALA, Sept 12: Militants of a newly-formed outfit hacked to death a Bengali youth in Gandacherra subdivision yesterday for having married a tribal girl. Police sources said the militants have been threatening Pradip Shil (30), a resident of Narayanpur village in Gandacherra subdivision and a driver by profession, to leave his wife Laxmi Tripura and pay a fine of Rs 10,000 ever since his marriage last year. Shil had ignored the threats. [TT]

33 ULFA ultras killed since 1996

JORHAT, Sept 12: With the death of ULFA militant Babu Saikia in an encounter with the police at Chinatoli village in Majuli on September 10, the number of ULFA ultras killed by police in Jorhat district has gone up to 33 since 1996. During this period while 70 ULFA activists laid down their arms in the district, more man 250 were arrested. Among the top ULFA leaders killed in the district were: Arup Baruah and Chiraj Bora who were involved in the abduction of Sanjay Ghose (1997), Strong Hazarika (1998), Simanta Jyoti Bora alias Budhura (1998) and Parama Saikia (1998), Bhaskar Dutta and Samiran Bhuyan (2000). [S]

2 ULFA men killed

GUWAHATI, Sept 12: Two hardcore ULFA militants were killed in an encounter with Army near Suklai Nala along the Indo-Bhutan border early this morning. During the encounter two Japanese revolvers and two grenades were recovered from the slain ultras. [AT]

UPDS mows down nine policemen in Karbi Anglong

GUWAHATI, Sept 13: In a daredevil ambush, NSCN-backed UPDS militants literally blew up a convoy of Karbi Anglong district police led by the Additional SP (Hqrs) Mr Dilip Kumar Dey near Borlangphar police outpost on the Diphu-Lumding Road at 3.30 pm today, killing nine policemen including an ASI, on the spot and grievously injuring Mr Dey and three other policemen. A militant was also killed in the retaliatory fire by the police, taking the death toll to 10.

Meanwhile, another report said, the Karbi Anglong police busted a UPDS camp at village Bassa Terang under Bokajan police station last night, and recovered a huge quantity of incriminating documents, ammunition, 11 chargers, seals, etc. There was a heavy exchange of fire between the police and the extremists before the latter fled the camp. Police arrested five Karbi youths of the village for interrogation. [S]

One killed in Tripura, trader freed

AGARTALA, Sept 14: A tribal supporter of the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura was shot dead last night. In separate incidents, security forces rescued an abducted Bengali trader and arrested six militants. [TT]

2 NDFB ultras killed

GUWAHATI, Sept 14: Two hardcore National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants were killed in two separate encounters with the Army in Kamrup and Nalbari districts since yesterday. [AT]

Chief Minister Prafulla Kr Mahanta paying homage to the police personnel, who were killed by extremists at Barlangfar, by placing floral wreaths on their bodies at Diphu on September 14. The Assam Tribune photo.

3 ultras killed

GUWAHATI, Sept 15: Two ULFA and one NDFB militants were killed in separate encounters with Army in lower Assam during the last 24 hours, according to an official release. [AT]

Five killed as ultra factions exchange fire

IMPHAL, Sept 15: In what could be termed as a factional fight, at least five persons including a civilian have been killed at Kaiphundai village on NH 53 in Tamenglong district, a reliable source said here on Thursday. The incident took place between 4 am to 10 am on Wednesday at Kaiphundai tribal village. During the fierce gun-battle, suspected to be between NSCN (I-M) and a combined group of Naga Nationalist Council (NNC) and NSCN(K) cadres, a second lieutenant of NNC was reportedly killed, the unofficial source said. [AT]

1 killed in Shillong shootout

SHILLONG, Sept 15: Unidentified assailants today gunned down a shopkeeper and seriously injured three persons at Iewduh, the commercial hub of this capital town. [TT]

Surprise attacks rattle ULFA cadres in Bhutan

NEW DELHI, Sept 16: At least 18 hardcore ULFA militants have been killed over the past two weeks in special operations in Bhutan, forcing the deputy commander-in-chief of the outfit, Raju Baruah, to flee and take shelter in a highly fortified NDFB camp in the neighbouring country, highly placed government sources told The Assam Tribune. [AT]

Woman killed in crossfire

AGARTALA, Sept 16: One elderly tribal woman was shot dead in a crossfire between suspected NLFT militants and security forces. [AT]

4 Manipur commandos injured in ambush

IMPHAL, Sept 16: Four Manipur Police commandos were wounded when a group of well-armed insurgents numbering about 50 ambushed a Police team at Ishikha area under Lamlai police station, about 29 km north of Imphal on Thursday evening, a late report received here on Friday said. [AT]

Shillong violence leaves 4 dead

SHILLONG, Sept 18: In a gruesome incident unidentified miscreants stabbed to death two people and strangled a minor girl at Nongmynsong area here on Sunday, reports UNI. According to police, assailants entered the residence of a grocery shop owner and stabbed him to death following an altercation. His 12-year-old niece who rushed on hearing the commontion was strangled to death. A relative who had come to the house was also stabbed. Local people nabbed one of the killers but the others fled.
Unknown gunmen killed a local businessman on September 15 in Barabazar here and injured three others. No arrest had been made so far in this connection. [AT]

Peace rally at Udalguri today

UDALGURI, Sept 18: The Nepali speaking community of Darrang district will bring out a peace procession in Udalguri town tomorrow to voice against on going killings of innocent people in Udalguri area and other parts of the State. [AT]

Fresh ethnic violence erupts in West Tripura

AGARTALA, Sept 19: After a brief lull the Kalyanpur area in West Tripura district once again became explosive underneath as fresh communal violence flared up in at least two places under the same police station on Monday. Four persons including three tribals and one non-tribal were killed and three others injured. [AT]

Tripura toll rises

AGARTALA, Sept 19: The death toll in yesterday's ethnic clashes under Kalyanpur police station in West Tripura district rose to four after the death of one of the five injured persons in the G. B. Hospital here today. Hriday Debbarma, who was severely beaten up by a non-tribal mob, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
In another incident yesterday, Harendra Debbarma, an Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura worker, was shot dead by All-Tripura Tiger Force militants in Champahaor under Khowai police station. [TT]

75-yr-old tribal hacked to death, Tripura tense

AGARTALA, Sept 21: The situation in Kalyanpur subdivision of South Tripura took a turn for the worse yesterday after Tiger Force militants hacked a 75-year-old tribal villager to death in Akrabari village. Three tribals and a non-tribal were killed in the same area on Monday.
In another incident, police and Tripura State Rifles personnel today shot dead a militant of the National Liberation Front of Tripura in Dharmanagar. [TT]

Cop hurt in ambush

SHILLONG, Sept 21: An India Reserve Police battalion constable was seriously injured when suspected militants ambushed a police party near Dalbot village in Meglalaya's West Khasi Hills district, police said on Thursday, reports PTI. [AT]

Miscreants gun down one

DIBRUGARH, Sept 21: Unidentified miscreants gunned down a small tea grower -- Tankeswar Moran -- at Amguri village near Philobari under Doomdooma police station this morning. [S]

3 NLFT rebels killed by police

AGARTALA, Sept 22: Three militants of the National Liberation Front of Tripura were killed by a joint force of policemen backed by Tripura State Rifles jawans in the state today. Sources said the police arrested four of the fleeing militants. [TT]

Businessman shot dead

DIBRUGARH, Sept 22: Two armed youths on Wednesday shot dead grocery shop owner at Kunworigaon under Naharkatia police station. The victim, Suresh Agarwalla, died on the spot while another was injured in the shootout.
Meanwhile, the two decomposed bodies recovered near Mohanaghat here are yet to be identified. The bodies were found yesterday morning floating on the Brahmaputra. It is estimated that both the persons were in the 40 to 50 age group. On the other hand, the Tinsukia police too are yet to apprehend the miscreants who robbed the Makum branch of the United Bank of India on Tuesday. In that incident the miscreants decamped after looting Rs 16 lakh from the banks vault. [AT]

Three ultras, Armyman killed in encounter

GUWAHATI, Sept 23: Three National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militants and an Army man were killed in an encounter in Nalbari district in the early hours today. [AT]

Two NLFT rebels killed in Tripura

AGARTALA, Sept 23: Two more hardcore National Liberation Front of Tripura militants were shot dead by police in an encounter in the remote Tuhamura area under Sabroom sub-division of South Tripura today. Altogether five NLFT rebels have been gunned down by the police during last 24 hours. Since August 10, altogether 12 NLFT militants have been killed in encounters with security forces. Police sources said counter-insurgency operations in the state would continue. [TT]

2 ULFA men killed

JORHAT, Sept 24: Self-styled finance secretary of Dhansiri anchalik unit of ULFA Tanu Chetia alias Alok Saikia along with another cadre Naba Hazarika were killed in an encounter at Borholla near Titabor at 11 a m today. The incident took place as the duo went to extort money from Pancha rice mill. Earlier yesterday a SULFA man Krishna Hazarika was hacked to death by irate tea labourers of Tyroon TE. [AT]

Two militants shot dead in Tripura

AGARTALA, Sept 24: Two militants were killed during an encounter with the police at Kutumchara under Gandachara police station this morning. Two other militants were also arrested in another incident today. [S]

Body recovered

NAZIRA, Sept 24: The body of an unidentified man was recovered from the Dikhow river here at around 1.30 p.m. today. The body bore an injury mark near the neck. [S]

Four killed in Kokrajhar KOKRAJHAR, Sept 25: In Seperate incidents, four persons including a municipal chairman were killed in Kokrajhar district in the last 24 hours. Sitting Municipal Board chairman Karuna Kanta Brahma (50) was shot dead by unidentified gunmen yesterday around 7.30 pm at his own residence in the heart of the town. Shockingly, police recovered another body with hands tied from back side and neck cut by sharp weapons from a nearby drain just 25 yards from the chairman's house this morning. Later, the body was identified as Hero Basumatary (60) a chokidar in the PTCA office hailing from Barpeta district. Meanwhile, police said that a surrendered BLT ultra Monoj Basumatary (27) of Tengaigaon under Serfanguri PS was shot dead by unidentified gunman yesterday night. Another body of a youth was also recovered from Khagrabari village under Kokrajhar PS this morning. The body could not be idetified till filling of this report. [AT]

Tripura rebels lynched AGARTALA, Sept 26: Two militants of the National Liberation Front of Tripura were lynched in separate incidents during the past 24 hours. Dreaded NLFT militant Laxman Debbarma, responsible for a large number of killings, abductions and forced displacement of non-tribals from Melaghar-Sonamura area, was lynched by local tribals in Umraibari area last night. In a separate incident, another NLFT militant Radha Reang was lynched by local tribals in Sripur village in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh bordering Tripura on September 21. Gandacherra police had received information that the slain rebel had raped a number of girls at gunpoint in Sripur village. On September 21, local tribals found him alone. They at once lynched and buried him. [TT]

15 NLFT insurgents killed since Aug 10

AGARTALA, Sept 27: The Tripura Government has decided to intensify counter-insurgency operations as well as efforts for peace talks with the tribal guerillas to curb militancy, reports UNI. State's Director General of Police B L Vora told newsmen here Tuesday that 48 people, including 31 tribals, were detained under the National Security Act for having links with the militants. [AT]

NDFB militant killed

GUWAHATI, Sept 27: A National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militant was killed by the Army in Kamrup district today, a PIB (Defence Wing) release said. [S]

Miscreants kill two, injure one

TINSUKIA, Sept 27: A gang of about 10 to 12 armed miscreants shot dead two persons -- Prafulla Gogoi (50), a businessman and Mridul Gogoi -- at Ulup under Margherita police station here last night. Later they shot and injured another person named Faujthappa. He has been admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. Police has not ruled out the involvement of the ULFA in the incident. [S]

Body recovered

GOLAKGANJ, Sept 27: Police recovered the body of an unidentified person from the forests near Rupashrii Airport under Golakganj police station yesterday. [S]

PDF supporter killed

KOKRAJHAR, Sept 28: Unidentified gunmen shot dead one Thablao Brahma (40), a supporter of People's Democratic Front (PDF), at Samthaibari under Serphanguri PS around 7-30 pm yesterday. [AT]

NSCN (I-M), AR exchange fire

KOHIMA, Sept 28: Armed cadres of NSCN (I-M) opened fire at an Assam Rifles patrol party near the outfit's designated Punglwa camp in Peren subdivision, reports PTI. The activists resorted to firing on Wednesday at the security personnel who retaliated while acting under maximum restraint, an Assam Rifles press release here said. No casualty was reported. [AT]

Army kills NDFB militant

GUWAHATI, Sept. 29: The Army operating in Nalbari district killed a National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militant in an encounter at Kachikala near Tamulpur yesterday, a PIB (Defence Wing) release said. A .38 revolver with ammunition were recovered from the militant who is yet to be identified, the release added. [S]

Naga miscreants let loose reign of terror

NAZIRA, Sept. 29: Tension continued in the Lakhimjan and Borhola areas of the Assam-Nagaland border following several incidents of loot and violence by Naga miscreants since the last two days. It may be mentioned that Naga miscreants, who move about openly with arms, have let loose a reign of terror in the area. [S]

Ultras kill tea executive, injure two

SILCHAR, Sept. 29: Suspected militants shot dead a deputy manager and a security guard of Khailu Tea Estate here and injured two others last night. They also abducted another person. Details are awaited. [S]

NE ultras using IEDs indiscriminately

SHILLONG, Sept 30: 'Non-state actors', an euphemism for militant organisations, in the world, have agreed not to use anti-personnel landmines (APMs) against civilians. It's a major success for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBN). 'NSAs' from Jammu and Kashmir and ULFA, NSCN and Bodo groups from North Eastern region who were also invited to the meeting of NSAs failed to turn up, Dr Balkrishna Kurvey, President and Coordinator, Indian Campaign to Ban Landmines, told a Press conference here today. [AT]

Tirap, Changlang dists
Centre to deploy 2 companies of CRPF

ITANAGAR, Sept 30: In response to growing militant activities in the State's Tirap and Changlang districts, the Centre has decided to rush two companies of paramilitary forces to tackle the situation. [AT] Encounter in city

GUWAHATI, Oct 1: A fierce encounter took place between a police patrol team and NDFB ultras at around 4.30 this afternoon at Suhagpur of Goreswar though no one was hurt in the incident, police said. [AT]

Security forces harassing innocent civilians, says NSCN (I-M)

KOHIMA, Oct 1: NSCN (I-M) has charged the security forces of harassing innocent civilians in Nagaland in connections with the firing incidents involving the two sides in Dimapur district even as the ceasefire is in force in the state, reports PTI. [AT]

Army kills Bodo rebel

GUWAHATI, Oct 1: Army troops operating in Lower Assam's Nalbari district shot dead a suspected National Democratic Front of Boroland militant early this morning. The incident took place when an Army patrol party patrolling Donsamka village near arimakha in the district was challenged by a suspected insurgent. [TT]

NSCN(I-M) ultras fire on Army patrol again

KOHIMA, Oct 2: NSCN (I-M) activists, fired on an Army patrol for the second time in three days, at a place under Nagaland's Dimapur district even though a ceasefire is in place, Assam Rifles sources said here today, reports PTI. Army personnel retaliated with "considerable restraint" when the underground activists fired on them at Longwesungu village under Niuland sub-division on Saturday and Friday but no casualty was reported on either side, the sources said. [AT]

Priest's killers held in Tripura

AGARTALA, Oct 2: Three NLFT insurgents, allegedly involved in the killing of a Catholic priest, were arrested from Damcherra in North Tripura district, police said here Saturday, reports PTI. Acting on specific information, the police raided Damcherra village Friday night and arrested the three insurgents. Fr Victor Crasta was killed on July 25 last in an ambush in the area by the NLFT. [AT]

Miscreants shoot contractor dead

GORUBASA, Oct 3: Mr Marshal Hajowary, a contractor and an active worker of the Bodoland movement, of No.1 Bengtalgaon under Basugaon police station was shot dead by two unidentified miscreants yesterday. [S]

NDFB cadre killed in shoot-out

GUWAHATI, Oct 3: Self-styled corporal Berunkhang alias Sanbru Basumatary of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) was killed in an encounter with an Army patrol party at Dimapur village near Batasipur in Sonitpur district in the wee hours today, a PIB release states. A 7.62 Chinese assault rifle with ammunition was recovered from the slain militant. [S]

One shot dead by miscreants

KOKRAJHAR, Oct 3: Unidentified gunmen shot dead one A. Sarsing Wary of Madhya Kalugaon village near Bashbari today. [S]

Baithalangshu CI, wife gunned down by UPDS

GUWAHATI, Oct 4: Suspected United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) militants shot dead the Circle Inspector (CI) of Baithalangshu, GC Buragohain and his wife, and injured two other policemen at Sexopahar area under Baithalangshu police station in Karbi Anglong this noon. [AT]

4 NDFB ultras killed, 2 held by Army

GUWAHATI, Oct 8: Four National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militants were killed and two others were apprehended by Army personnel operating in the lower Assam districts since October 5, a PIB, defence wing release said here today. [AT]

Six NDFB cadres killed in shoot-outs

MANGALDAI, Oct 8: Two hard-core National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militants -- Keshab Brahma alias B. Khabjang of Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar district and Chubur Singh Narzary of No. 2 Bandarguri village under Udalguri police station -- were killed in an encounter with the Army in Udalguri at around 12.30 a.m. on October 7. In another incident, Darrang police arrested the self-styled sergeant major of the 7th battalion of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Mahendra Barua alias Abhijit Saikia from Pub Bahjani village under Kalaigaon police station on the night of October 7. In yet another incident the Assam Regiment handed over two ULFA militants -- Lohit Deka alias Mantu Bora of Jaljali under Mangaldai police station and Ghana Deka alias Kanak Tamuly of Sareng Majgaon under Khoirabari police station -- to the Mangaldai police on October 7. A PIB (Defence Wing) release in Guwahati adds that the Army apprehended NDFB cadre Shristri Deuri alias Suklai from Kalibari village near Harisinga in Udalguri subdivision in Darrang district. Based on the confessional statement of Suklai the Army apprehended another NDFB militant, Dawin Narzari alias Dehung, who led the troops to the recovery of one of the biggest stores of ammunition near a pond, 10 km west of Udalguri at village Mahalaya. An AK-56 rifle, 531 rounds of ammunition, etc., were recovered from there. Based on the confessional statements of these two NDFB cadres the Army killed two other cadres of the outfit -- Sukhro Singh Daimary and Khet Jung Basumatary -- at Hapagaon village during an encounter. A US revolver, a US carbine and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. In yet another incident on October 5, the Army shot dead two NDFB cadres near Pubrampur village in Nalbari district. The slain militants are yet to be identified. [S]

Two shot dead by NLFT in Tripura

AGARTALA, Oct 8 (PTI): Two teen-aged tribal boys have been shot dead by the insurgents of banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) at Kuchuabari in West Tripura district, police said here today. [S]

Three bodies recovered

JORHAT, Oct 8: Three bodies were recovered from Titabor and Mariani areas during the last three days. According to reports, the body of one Manjit Bora of Kongaghat was recovered from Boruk Baruah Jan under Titabor police station yesterday. The body was cut into two pieces. Manjit Boro had been missing since September 16. In another incident, the body of one Ganesh Tanti was recovered from Bhelguri tea estate under Mariani police station on October 6. The police identified the accused but could not arrest him. In yet another incident the police recovered a body from a drain at Puwalinagar under Titabor police station on October 6. The body has been identified as that of one Sambhu Deb (45). [S]

One injured in police firing

JORHAT, Oct 8: One Anup Bania (14) sustained bullet injury when the police resorted to fire four rounds in the air to disperse an unruly mob of gamblers at Kumar Bonda Tea Estate here under Jalukonibari police station this evening. Two constables also sustained injuries during the attack by the unruly mob. [S]

Infighting leads NDFB to kill own cadre

BARPETA, Oct 8: An infighting in the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) came to light when some cadres of the outfit shot dead its "tax collector" Bijoy Mallik after a hot chase at around 10.30 p.m. on the night of October 5 at Madhupurgaon near Ananda Bazar here. It may be mentioned that Bijoy Mallik, who had been arrested and sent to the jail on the charges of killing Majibur Rahman and Injuring Abdul Samad on the PWD road between Ananda Bazar and Salbari on October 8, 1998, joined the NDFB again as the "tax collector" after his release from the jail. [S]

City SP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta displaying the seized M-16 rifle and its ammunition in the city on October 10. The Assam Tribune photo.

Gunmen injure IAS officer in Imphal

IMPHAL, Oct 10: Unidentified gunmen shot at the registrar of state co-operative societies B. Bardinarayan Sharma at his office here this afternoon. The 45-year-old IAS officer was hit by a bullet on his left leg. He was rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences where doctors operated on him. The motive behind the attack is not known. [TT]

Constable dead

IMPHAL, Oct 10: A police constable who was handed over to the police by traders here while trying to extort money posing as a militant, was found dead last evening. The constable allegedly tried to force money out from the traders, and even "opened fire" when they attempted to nab him. [TT]

NDFB cadre killed in shoot-out with BLT

GAURIPUR, Oct 10: A National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) cadre -- Brishu Brahma (20) -- was killed in an encounter with the BLT at Tulsinijhora under Gossaigaon police station last night. [S]

Two shot dead in Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR, Oct 11: Unidentified gunmen shot dead two persons in Kokrajhar in the last 24 hours. Police sources said unidentified gunmen shot down one Guneswar Narzary (20), a student of 1st year of UNB Higher Secondary School at Serfunguri under Serfunguri police station in Kokrajhar district around at 1.30 pm today. In another incident, unidentified gunmen shot dead one Surajit Brahma (55) of Bikrampur under Bengtol in the district around 6.30 pm yesterday. [AT]

NLFT ultra killed, 3 others arrested in Tripura

AGARTALA, Oct 11: The Assam Rifles engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the State has shot dead a dreaded National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militant Poitu Debbarma at Duraicherra area in Dhalai district Wednesday morning. One more militant and two women collaborators were also arrested by the Assam Rifles troops. [AT]

NFR sounds alert on NDFB threat GUWAHATI, Oct 11: The NF Railway authorities today moved fast to put on alert all officials, employees and security staff to thwart any attempt by the proscribed militant outfit, the NDFB to carry out its threat of blowing up the trains in the State which it had issued yesterday. The NF Railway General Manager, Mr B.M.S. Bisht today told The Sentinel that it was the bounden and sacred duty of the Railways to ensure the safety and security to all its passengers and goods. The NF Railway would not backtrack from its duty to its customers under threat from a militant group, he said. Meanwhile, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), in a press release, has expressed serious concern over the NDFB's decision to plant bombs at railway tracks and launching subversive activities after October 20. [S]

Tackling Gunrunners [Editorial, The Sentinel] The Guwahati City Police deserves kudos from all peace-loving citizens of Assam for having busted a den of international gunrunners in Shillong on Tuesday, which is expected to seriously affect the activities of the various militant outfits operating in the State. This will also undoubtedly help the police to get more details about the modus operandi of this and other gangs and their conduits, who are operating in the north-eastern region in service of the extremists, apart from further boosting the morale of Assam policemen in their operations against the extremists. It is true that it is not for the first time that the police has busted a gunrunner racket. [S]

Two killed in Kokrajhar

GUWAHATI, Oct 12 (PTI): Two people, including a student, were killed in separate incidents in Assam's Kokrajhar district, official sources said here today. A group of unidentified armed men shot dead a higher secondary student, Guneswar Narzary, of UNB School at Serfunguri yesterday. [S]

Two arrested for killing SULFA man

JORHAT, Oct 12: Titabor police arrested two persons -- Dilip Singh and Dhiren Kewat -- who had hacked to death a SULFA man, Krishna Kachari on September 23 at Tairun Tea Estate here, today. The two persons handed over the dao which had been used in killing the SULFA man. [S]

4 NDFB ultras killed

GUWAHATI, Oct 13: The Army killed four hardcore NDFB militants at Patla village, near Khoirabari in Darrang district this morning after an encounter. According to a defence communique, troops carried out operations early this morning to nab militants and in the encounter that followed the four ultras were killed. [AT]

Trader shot dead in Manipur

IMPHAL, Oct 13: A 35-year-old businessman was shot dead by unidentified armed activists in the heart of Imphal city on Friday morning, reports PTI. Official sources said that two armed activists came to the shop of Trilo Agrawal (35) on GM Avenue, near city police station and shot him from close range at around 5.25 am. [AT]

Rebel killed in Tripura encounter

AGARTALA, Oct 13: A hardcore National Liberation Front of Tripura militant was killed and another arrested in a major encounter with security forces early today. [TT]

NDFB emerging as most dangerous insurgent outfit in State

GUWAHATI, Oct 14: The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) is considered to be the most dangerous of the insurgent outfits active in Assam at this moment as it is apprehended that the outfit may try to let loose a reign of terror to regain lost ground. [AT]

Body recovered

GUWAHATI, Oct 14: Dispur police last evening recovered the body of an unidentified man from the bus stand near Down Town Hospital. The body bore no marks of injury and is suspected to have been suffering from some diseases. It was sent for post-mortem today. [AT]

Killing of businessman
Imphal traders keep shutters down for 2nd day

IMPHAL, Oct 14: Imphal traders kept the shutters down for the second day today to protest against the murder of a fellow businessman, reports UNI. A motor parts dealer, Trilok Agarwal, was shot dead yesterday by unidentified gunmen at his shop. [AT]

Tripura sub-inspector killed

AGARTALA, Oct 14: A sub-inspector of Tripura police, Tapan Das, was killed in an encounter with NLFT militants at Golakpur Tea Estate of Kailasahar in North Tripura district today. Das, who led the police raid inside the tea garden at 11.30 a.m., was fired upon by the ultras. He died on the way to hospital. A militant, identified as Satya Ranjan Debbarma alias Debu, was also killed when the police retaliated. Meanwhile, militants also abducted two persons. [S]

Recovery of deadbody creates tension

DIBRUGARH, Oct. 14: The recovery of the deadbody of Ms Padma Gogoi, (22) a nurse of Aditya Nursing Home on October 5 has created great sensation and tension in the town of Dibrugarh. The nursing home is situated at Bordoloi Avenue of Dibrugarh town. It is known from a source that Ms Padma Gogoi served in the nursing home for eight months and lived at the hostel in the campus of the nursing home with her sister and six other nurses. On October 5 the dead body of Padma was discovered under the bed of her hostel room. [S]

BJP leader shot at, businessman abducted by ULFA at Golokganj

GOLOKGANJ, Oct 15: A businessman of Golokganj, Mr Premsukh Sethia, who is a local leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was shot at and injured by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants at Golokganj Bazar at around 7.15 p.m. yesterday. The militants kidnapped another businessman, Mr Nitai Seal, who is also a member of the BJP, last night. [S]

Two tea workers killed in ATPSF firing

NAHARKATIA, Oct 16: Sensation prevailed at Naharkatia Tea Estate of Tata Tea here following the death of two workers and injury to three others in firing by personnel of Assam Tea Plantation Security Force (ATPSF) this morning. An unconfirmed report said that injured Dinesh Bhumij also succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. According to sources the ATPSF personnel mercilessly beat up three workers of the garden on October 14 evening when they were collecting firewood from the garden, an act which was prohibited. [AT]

Two hardcore ULFA killed in city shoot-out

GUWAHATI, Oct 16: In a major breakthrough, City Police last night shot dead two hardcore cadres of the banned militant outfit ULFA, including one female cadre, in an encounter and recovered one 9 mm sten-gun, live and empty cartridges of AK-47 rifle and 9 mm sten-guns at a house at Chachal near Down Town Hospital. [AT]

The dead bodies of the two ULFA ultras killed by Guwahati police on October 15 night. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

Two NDFB militants killed

BISWANATH CHARIALI, Oct 17: The Sonitpur police killed two NDFB militants in Behali Reserve Forest near Thanda Pani under Behali Police Station of Biswanath sub-division in the morning of October 15 in an encounter. [S]

Army firing creates panic

MANGALDAI, Oct 17: Two housewives and their five minor children had a providential escape when the Army personnel opened fire on their Ambassador car near Mangaldai police station this evening. It is learnt that Ms Tarulata Devi, wife of Mr Deba Kanta Sarma of Prafulla Nagar and Ms Tutu Moni Goswami, wife of Mr Naba Kumar Sarma of Salalpara of Mangaldai town, were asked to stop their car by three armed personnel in civvies. Suspecting them to be antisocials, the driver tried to reach Mangaldai police station as fast as he could. The armed men followed them in a Maruti van and opened fire near Mangaldai jail. The car immediately entered the police station and the van too followed it. Later, it was revealed that three Army personnel led by Lieutenant P. Tripathy of 5 Assam Regiment opened fire on the Ambassador car. Meanwhile, a complaint has been lodged with Mangaldai police station. [S]

3 killed, 3 bodies found in Tripura

AGARTALA, Oct 17: Three persons -- Mahima Jamatia, Mongolia Jamatia (60) and Hirabati Jamatia (45) -- were killed and one Nagucha Jamatia was injured when the suspected United Bengali Liberation Front (UBLF) militants hurled a bomb at Lakshmipati under Udaipur police station in South Tripura district last night. In another incident, the police recovered the body of one Nitya Nanda Debbrama (19) from a paddy field at Takarjala in West Tripura district today. In yet another incident, the police recovered the bodies of -- Sushil Kumar Chakma (35) and Rajkumar Tripura -- from Belonia in South Tripura district today. Sushil and Rajkumar had, earlier, been abducted by the NLFT. [S]

5 killed in Manipur incidents

IMPHAL, Oct 17: At least five individuals were found killed at different places of the State on Monday. According to police sources, at least three persons said to be labourers were found dead near Langtabi Kunja in Imphal West district on Monday morning. The identities of the deceased are yet to be established. During the incident, three other persons also sustained bullet injuries, the report said. In another incident, two bullet-ridden bodies were also recovered from Chandel area in Chandel district on Monday. [AT]

Irate mob attacks police station
3 killed in Rangapara police firing

RANGAPARA, Oct 18: Atleast three persons were killed and 15 others, including nine policemen seriously injured when police opened fire to disperse an irate mob who gheraoed the Rangapara police station and started throwing stones this afternoon. [AT]

Villagers fleeing fearing NSCN attack

GOLAGHAT, Oct 18: Following the spread of a news that the NSCN(IM) has been planning to plant bombs in a number of villages along the Assam-Nagaland border in Golaghat district, the villagers have already started deserting their villages. It is alleged that armed Naga miscreants are moving freely along the border areas and creating subversive activities under the noses of the security forces. The Assam Government, on the other hand, is playing the role of a mute spectator. [S]

Senior ULFA cadre shot dead

MANGALDAI, Oct 18: A senior member of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Baneswar Deka alias Pankaj Dutta (42) of Kaithpara under Kalaigaon police station was killed reportedly in an encounter with the Army at Tengabari village near the permanent complex of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya under Kalaigaon police station at around 12.30 a.m. today. [S]

Pakhtoon arrested at Mangaldai

MANGALDAI, Oct 18: The CRPF arrested an Afghan (Pakhtoon) citizen, Md Maula Dad Khan, S/o late Khwaja Mahmed Khan of Gorumara under Lahowal police station in Dibrugarh district from Tangla town today, and seized ganja from him. During interrogation it has been revealed that the presidential permit which had been issued to him expired in 1999. A case has been registered against him. [S]

Bomb alert on N-E train route

GUWAHATI, Oct 18: Assam today pulled out all stops to counter the National Democratic Front of Boroland's threat to blow up passenger trains from midnight tomorrow. Security was beefed up in all railway stations and along rail tracks. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service, while anti-sabotage squads began scanning rail tracks with "deep-search" metal detectors. [TT]

ULFA cadre shot dead

JORHAT, Oct 18: On the other hand, another motorcycle-borne ULFA cadre, one Janmejoy Das alias Anil Rai was shot dead by the police at Doyangial Pathargaon in Dergaon around 11.30 pm on Monday, as he lobbed a grenade and fired indiscriminately at a police patrol party even as the cops asked him to stop and identify himself. [AT]

3 CRPF men killed in ambush

KOKRAJHAR, Oct 19: Three CRPF personnel were killed and four security personnel, including two CRPF personnel, were injured seriously when suspected Bodo ultras ambushed a security party at Gossainnichina village under Dotama Police Station in Kokrajhar District at around 8 am today. One civilian was also injured in the incident. [AT]

Two ultras among 3 killed in Tripura

AGARTALA, Oct 19: While two militants were killed by the security forces during their "Operation Moonlight" in the hilly terrain of Dhalai district in Tripura, the militants gunned down one Charu Debbarma at Sudrai Thakur Para in Teliamura today. In another incident the police picked up a person suspecting him to be an ultra collaborator. [S]

Hardcore ULFA cadre gunned down

DIBRUGARH, Oct 19: A self-styled ULFA lieutenant, Pabitra Saikia was killed in an encounter with the Army at Naojan Tipamia area in Dibrugarh district yesterday. The Army recovered a Chinese pistol, a Sten gun and a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the slain militant. According to sources, Pabitra had been involved in the killing of SULFA man Tilendra Mantri on September 14 and Mr Suresh Agarwal on September 20. [S]

4 militants killed in Manipur

IMPHAL, Oct 19: Manipur police commandos killed four militants in different parts of Imphal today. The police blitz followed the government's decision to crackdown on rebels. While two militants were killed at Samakeithel, one each was killed in Keirao and Chingamakha. [TT]

2 shot dead in Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR, Oct 20: One Geetadha Basumatary (24), son of Biraj Basumatary of Dologaon under Salakati PS was shot at by unidentified gunmen at his own resident at 2.15 pm. On the other hand, Ramesh Narzary (22) of East Salbari was shot dead by unidentified miscreants at Salbari at 8.10 am today. [AT]

5 killed, 6 hurt
Army groups clash inside train coach

GUWAHATI, Oct 20: Five persons including four Army personnel of 6th Jat Regiment were killed and six others injured in a gunbattle between two groups of armymen at a coach of Intercity Express at the Guwahati Railway Station this evening. According to official sources, one group of armymen travelling in the train started firing indiscriminately at copassengers killing one of them on the spot. On hearing gunshots another group of Army personnel retaliated killing four others and injuring six persons. [AT]

Assam police trying to control the situation at Guwahati Railway station on October 20. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

NLFT guns down two CPI(M) leaders

AGARTALA, Oct 20: NLFT militants gunned down two senior CPI(M) leaders -- Buddha Chandra Koloi (80) and Chikanjoy Debbarma (55) in a retaliation against police operation which have incurred heavy losses during the last few weeks. This was the first major attack since the police, TSR and the CRPF jointly launched the Operation Moonlight to flush out militants from their hide-outs. [S]

3 killed in Adivasi attacks

GOSSAIGAON, Oct 20: In two separate incidents, at least two Adivasis were killed and one injured by unidentified Adivasi miscreants in Gossaigaon subdivision yesterday. According to information, the deceased -- Paul Murmu (50) and Babulal Murmu (40) of Saharghutu village under Tamarhat Police Station -- was on their way home after attending a peace meeting at Jacobpur, 3 km from Srirampur. Meanwhile, in another incident, a 18-year-old Adivasi youth, Bishnu Tudu, stationed in Gurugola Adivasi relief camp was shot dead by miscreants at around 7.30 p.m. yesterday, police sources said. [S]

One beaten to death

JORHAT, Oct 20: One person was beaten to death at night suspecting him to be a thief in the village Meleng Tinikonia under Lahdoi Garh police Station on October 15. Police went to the village in the morning and sent the dead body for post mortem. The identity of the deceased person has not been known till the filing of this report. [S]

Bodies recovered

JORHAT, Oct 21: The bodies of one Ravi Chutia (30) and Smt Uma Chutia (32) were recovered from inside a hotel room in the city at around 11.30 am today by the local police. Suspected to be a brother-sister duo according to preliminary investigation, they might have committed suicide by consuming pesticide which was found by the bedside. [AT]

Rape tops list of crimes by soldiers

SHILLONG, Oct 21: Rape and molestation are the most common crimes committed by soldiers in troubled north-eastern States and Jammu and Kashmir. This is based on statistics of court martial for various crimes and rights violations by soldiers provided by the Army itself. [AT]

Jiribam arms loot
UNLF claims responsibility

IMPHAL, Oct 21: The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has claimed the responsibility for the looting of weapons after overpowering the police personnel of Jiribam police station, bordering Assam. It may be mentioned here that the armed cadres of UNLF carried away a total of 36 service weapons including 12 SLRs without much resistance from the Jiribam police station on Friday afternoon at 3.40. [AT]

SULFA violence leaves one dead, 8 hurt

GOALPARA, Oct 22: After failing to collect "goonda tax" from the fishermen at Balbala Bazar near here, armed SULFA activists resorted to indiscriminate firing leading to the death of one and injury to eight other fishermen on October 16. According to information available, a group of armed SULFA men arrived in a Maruti Gypsy on the day of the incident at about 7 a.m. at Balbala Bazar and demanded 25 per cent "revenue" on sale of fish from the fishermen. [AT]

Major explosives haul in Rangiya; 2 ULFA men die

RANGIYA, Oct 22: The Army on Saturday night recovered a huge cache of explosives, detonators and other bomb making accessories from the house of an ISI agent and Ulfa linkman, Azizur Rahman (40), in Dhopatali village near Changsari in Kamrup district.
An Ulfa man of the 'Volcano unit' was killed in a joint operation by CRPF and police at Sukhanpukhuri near Joypur Reserve Forest in Dibrugarh district. An AK-56 rifle, 16 rounds of ammunition and some documents were recovered from the militant. In another incident, another Ulfa rebel was killed by the police at Sarthebari under Barpeta police station. [NED]

Explosives recovered in Changsari village on October 22. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

4 people shot dead by NLFT ultras

AGARTALA, Oct 22: Banned National Liberation Front of Tri-pura (NLFT) guerillas stepped up their violent activities after a brief lull killing four people, including three of a family, here on Saturday, reports Agencies. The ultras also abducted four people, including three small traders, from North Tripura and Dhalai districts.
Meanwhile, tribal villagers in an organised move hacked to death a militant at Sibnagar under Sona-mura police station in West Tripura on Saturday. The villagers or-ganised themselves when the five militants came to the village to collect subscription at gun-point. Four militants, however, managed to escape. [AT]

3-yr-old boy among 5 killed at Naharkotia

DIBRUGARH, Oct 22: In a tragic incident a businessman, a three-year-old boy and three others lost their lives when three armed youths entered the business establishment of one Mr Radhe Shyam Agarwal at Naokholia Bazar near Naharkatia under Joipur police station here at around 5.40 p.m. today. The armed youths came with an intention of extortion and in the process created a terror by killing Mr Radhe Shyam Agarwal on the spot after a brief altercation and later fired at the crowd who assembled at the Naokholia Bazar. According to eye-witness accounts, the miscreants fired at the crowd just to flee from the spot. A three-year-old boy died on the spot after he received bullet injuries on his stomach. The other three, who also had received bullet injuries, died on their way to the OIL Hospital. The five injured were admitted to the OIL hospital. The four of the five deceased are yet to be identified. [S]

ULFA ultras mow down 11 near Doomdooma TINSUKIA, Oct 23: A seven-man gang of motorcycle-borne militants gunned down as many as 11 persons at No. 4 Kokajan village under Doomdooma police station in Tinsukia district at around 6.30 p.m. yesterday. Three other persons also sustained serious injuries in the militants' attack. The police suspects the involvement of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in the killing. [S] Remains of the houses burned by the terrorists. Asomiya Pratidin photo.

NDFB man shot dead

GUWAHATI, Oct 23: A hardcore NDFB cadre was killed in an encounter with the Army at around seven this evening near Dhekiajuli. The deceased, a self-styled sergeant of the outfit, has been identified as Thatcha Basumatary, defence sources informed. [AT]

Three youths shot dead

IMPHAL, Oct 23: Three youths were shot dead at two different incidents in Manipur's Bishenpur and Thoubal districts since Saturday. Official sources said here today that a youth was shot dead while another was missing after they were kidnapped at gunpoint from their Keirenphabi village in Bishenpur district on Saturday night by 20 unidentified gunmen. Meanwhile, police today recovered two multiple bullet-riddled bodies from Langmeidong village Thoubal district. [AT]

Woman killed in Tripura blast

AGARTALA, Oct 24: A tribal woman was killed and three others injured in a bomb attack by suspected United Bengali Liberation Front militants in the Chhailengta area under Manu police station of Dhalai district this morning. The woman belonged to the minority Darlong tribal community, our correspondent reports. In a separate incident yesterday, policemen in Santir Bazar police station of South Tripura recovered the bodies of three persons, including one tribal who had been abducted earlier by National Liberation Front of Tripura militants. [TT]

ULFA denies hand in massacre

JORHAT, Oct 24: In a statement to a local daily last night, Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah denied that his outfit was involved in the incident. However, Tinsukia superintendent of police P.C. Saloi said the Ulfa did have a hand in the two incidents. "We have proof of the outfit's involvement in the killings," he said. [TT]

'Army action against ULFA, NDFB will spell disaster for Bhutan'

GUWAHATI, Oct 24: The King of Bhutan, Zigme Singhye Wangchuk has cautioned the people of Bhutan against the serious implications of military action against the ULFA and Bodo militants holed up in the country. The King reminded the people that if Bhutan had to send its armed forces to remove the militants, it would mean fighting a war which would result in very serious consequences, the Kuensel, Bhutan's national newspaper reported in its latest issue, a copy of which was received here today. [S]

Army operation along Assam-Nagaland border

NAZIRA, Oct 24: Following the rise in the subversive activities by Naga militants in the areas along the Assam-Nagaland border, the Army based at Ligiri Pukhuri has been conducting a search operation in the border areas including Lakshmijan Setap Basti in Nazira subdivision since yesterday. It may be mentioned that the Forest Department office at Setap Basti along the Assam-Nagaland border, which had been deserted by the State Forest Department long back, turned into an office of Naga militants. [S]

NDFB militant gunned down

DHEKIAJULI, Oct 24: A National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) "sergeant", Bonchukhra Basumatary was shot dead in an encounter with the Army at Batasipur, nine km from here last night. A Chinese rifle and 12 cartridges were recovered. [S]

Violence returns to Tripura after a short lull

AGARTALA, Oct 24: After a short spell of success by the security forces in their anti-insurgency operations the days of violence by the militants seem to have returned in Tripura. The NLFT today ambushed a vehicle killing two forest department official and injured another one. A local leader of the CPI(M) also was gunned down in a separate incident. [S]

One ULFA killed

DIBRUGARH, Oct 24: In an encounter between ULFA and Army in the Naojan Tipomia area under Dibrugarh district, a self-styled "lieutenant" of Naharkatia, Tingkhong and Sapekhati area was killed instantly on the night of October 18, said an Army source. He was involved in the murder of SULFA member, Tailendra Mantri on October 14 and Suresh Agarwalla, a businessman. Army recovered some weapons including a Chinese made 9 mm pistol and a Stengun, the source said. [S]

NDFB ultra killed in encounter

GUWAHATI, Oct 25: One hardcore National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militant was killed in an encounter with a party of the city police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the outskirts of the city late last night. [AT]

ULFA-police encounter at Arjuntal

NAGAON, Oct. 25: Acting on a tip-off that a group of the 40-man "action group" gang of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which had entered Nagaon during the Durga Puja, took shelter at Arjuntal here, a team of police rushed to the spot and engaged themselves in an encounter with the militants. The militants, however, managed to escape. Though the police could not ascertain the names of the three ULFA members with whom they had exchanged firing, another source said that the gang was led by "action group" leader Suresh Bora. [S]

India expresses concern
Myanmar Army kill 3 Assam Rifles men

KOHIMA, Oct 26: In a case of mistaken identity, three Assam Rifles jawans were killed and two others injured by the Myanmar Army on the Nagaland-Myanmar border yesterday, defence sources said today, reports PTI. The Assam Rifles jawans on a patrol duty near Longwa in the remote Nagaland-Myanmar border were taken as NSCN rebels by the Myanmar armymen, who fired at them, killing three jawans and injuring two others, they said. [AT]

Man hurt in shootout dies

GUWAHATI, Oct 26: Kartik Sarkar, an employee of the NF Railway's Hojai division who was seriously injured in a major shootout at Guwahati railway station recently died at GMCH on Thursday. The deceased was in the city for some family affairs and was about to board the Intercity express for returning home on that night. [AT]

5 killed by NLFT ultras

AGARTALA, Oct 27: In stepped-up violence, banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) ultras mowed down five non-tribals and injured three in West Tripura today, reports UNI.Police said here that the heavily armed NLFT rebels swooped down the Debendra Sardarpara market under Teliamura police station this evening and sprayed a fusillade of bullets indiscriminately, killing five people on the spot. [AT]

ULFA, NDFB hand suspected 12 die in Nalbari violence GUWAHATI, Oct 27: Altogether 12 persons including three policemen were killed in two separate incidents in Nalbari district during the last 24 hours. Nine persons were killed and at least 12 injured when militants opened indiscriminate fire near Hari Mandir in the heart of Nalbari town around 6.30 pm this evening. Sources here informed that a group of militants coming in a Tata Sumo vehicle opened fire from both side of the running vehicle from AK-47 assault rifles. Six persons were killed on the spot and three others injured persons died in the hospital later. About 12 persons including women were injured in the militant attack. Police suspected involvement of banned ULFA militants in the incident. Our Nalbari Correspondent adds: Earlier three police personnel including a Sub-Inspector were killed in an ambush by National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militants at Ananda Bazar village under Tamulpur police station last night. Our Chabua Correspondent adds: A hardcore ULFA militant was killed in an encounter with the police at Chetia Pathar about four kilometre from Chabua at around 3.20 am. The killed militant was identified as Dharmindra Changmai alias Mithu Baruah from Boruahola Balijan gaon under Panitola police station. Police recovered one revolver and five live cartridges from the possession of the militant. Our staff reporter adds: Suspected Bodo militants shot dead a member of the People's Democratic Front (PDF) -- Anil Sargiary near Golagaon village in Barpeta district last night. In a separate incident a central committee member of the party Matindra Doimary was seriously injured when suspected militants sprayed bullets on him near Barpeta yesterday. He was later admitted to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital. [AT]

Businessman shot dead by NDFB ultras

BISWANATH CHARIALI, Oct 27: A businessmen was shot dead and his son injured by NDFB militants yesterday under Behali police station in Sonitpur district. According to police NDFB militants walked into the shop and started firing indiscriminately. They gunned down Bhagirath Sharma while his son Bhola Sharma sustained bullet injuries and was later admitted to Tezpur Kanaklata Civil Hospital. Sources said Bhagirath Sharma was killed since he refused to comply with their demand of Rs 5 lakh. [S]

Nalbari bandh total
Dastardly killings evoke outrage

NALBARI, Oct 28: Contrary to the expectations of the militants, who gunned down ten innocent persons and injured several others in a shooting spree at Nalbari last evening, entire Nalbari today burst in vehement condemnation and anger against that heinous act of the militants and responded spontaneously to a call for a dawn to dusk Nalbari bandh. [AT]

Rain-drenched Nalbari wore a deserted look on October 28 during a dawn-to-dusk bandh in protest against the dastardly killing of ten persons of Baruah Road and Bhakatpara Road areas by militants on October 27. A view of the Bata Chowk area, the business hub of Nalbari town, at 4 pm. The Assam Tribune photo.

Debendra Sardarpara killing
Bandh hits life in W Tripura

AGARTALA, Oct 28: Life was paralysed in certain parts of West Tripura district today following a 12-hour bandh called by the ruling CPI(M) and other parties to protest yesterday's militant attack in which six people were killed, report agencies. [AT]

ULFA-police encounter in Nagaon, 1 held

NAGAON, Oct 28: A self-styled corporal major of the United Liberation front of Asom (ULFA), Gobinda Deka alias Gautam Pathak of Nalbari, was injured and arrested during an encounter between a five-man gang of the banned outfit led by "action group" leader Suresh Bora and a joint team of the police and the CRPF at Dorangial village in Kondoli area in Nagaon district at 4.30 p.m. today. [S]

Bodies of newly-married couple found

GOLAGHAT, Oct 28: The recovery of the bodies of a young, newly-married couple from the paddy fields at Singijan in village Balijan this morning has created a great deal of sensation here. According to reports, Dudu Bora (28) of Balijan had married a young girl of Gamariguri village about three months back and stayed there. They had come to Dudu Bora's parental house at Balijan day before yesterday. But the recovery of their bodies from a paddy field in Balijan today has created a mystery as to whether it was murder or suicide. [S]

5 held in Kakojan massacre case

TINSUKIA, Oct 28: Doomdooma police today arrested five persons, including a gaon panchayat secretary, in connection with the massacre at No. 4 Kakojan village by the ULFA on October 22. They are: Bir Bahadur Newar (44), Mahammad Neeraj (22), Neer Mahammad (30), Pradip Borgohain (21) and Haren Deka (25). All of them are residents of Kakojan and had allegedly helped the ULFA militants in carrying out the massacre, police sources said here. [S]

Killed by miscreants

MANGALDAI, Oct. 28: One Md Abdul Mazid (35) of village No. 4 Nanglichar -- a riverine char under Mangaldai Police Station has been brutally killed by a group of armed miscreants on the night of October 22 just near his own residence. In the morning, the dead body of which both the hand and the legs were chopped off, was recovered.
In another incident, a group of armed person last evening has killed one Nousad Ali (45) of village Alikhapara (Patharighat) under Sipajhar Police Station. As it was reported, the deceased, a notorious dacoit, was killed on the RCC bridge over river Nonoi. [S]

Killing by ultras
Nalbari district bandh today

NALBARI, Oct 29: A meeting of all the political parties and most non-political organisations working in Nalbari district has given a call for a 10-hour Nalbari district bandh from 6 am to 4 pm tomorrow in protest against the dastardly killing of ten persons in Nalbari on Friday evening. [AT]

ULFA-MULTA joint strategy

GUWAHATI, Oct 29: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) have decided to operate jointly in some of the areas dominated by immigrant population in lower Assam, police sources said. [AT]

NLFT strikes again to prove its existence in Tripura

AGARATALA, Oct 29: The outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura has bounced back with their brutality as the impact created by the achievements of security forces are fizzling out speedily. They killed at least 24 persons during this month including a sub inspector of police and five CPI(M) activists. The massacre of Debendra Sardar Para under Teliamura police station on Friday evening was the worst among all these incidents. Six persons including a 80 year old woman and three children were killed. [S]

Landmines recovered

RANGIYA, Oct 30: Rangiya police recovered two landmines along with 25 metres of fuse wire on the Puthimari river embankment near Dholkuchi village here around 6 pm today. The land-mines, which were dug into the ground, are suspected to be targeted at the security personnel who sometimes visit that area on patrol duty. [AT]

Move planned to terrorise people

GUWAHATI, Oct 30: The indiscriminate killings in Upper Assam and Nalbari within a period of one week, which resulted in the death of 25 persons, were parts of a well-planned move by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to terrorise the people, police sources said here today. Police sources said that the ULFA had been planning such actions for the last two months to terrorise people and also to give a boost to the sagging morale of the cadres with 'spectacular actions.' It may be mentioned that in a press statement, issued to a section of the local press yesterday, the Assam Tiger Force claimed the responsibility for the killings, while, the ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah had also reportedly claimed that the outfit was not involved in the killings. However, police sources said that those were only attempts to mislead the people following widespread condemnation of the killings by cross sections of the people. [AT]

Thwarting Destabilizers
[Editorial, The Sentinel]

No one will dispute the Government of Assam's assessment of the situation arising out of the dastardly attacks by the ULFA on innocent Hindi-speaking and Marwari community people in Kakojan, Naoholia and Nalbari, killing 25 of them in a matter of just five days, that certain forces, desperate at having failed to make political capital out of the slide in the insurgency-ridden situation, are out to create large-scale violence by intimidating non-Assamese people to attract the Centre's attention to clamp President's rule in the State. [S]

Former Chief Minister of Assam Sarat Chandra Sinha along with NCP workers during a procession to Raj Bhawan in protest against the violence in the State on October 31. The Assam Tribune photo.

BPAC leader shot

GUWAHATI, Oct 31: Unidentified gunner shot dead a leader of Bodo People's Action Committee (BPAC) at Bijni in Bongaigaon district at around 12.30 pm today. [AT]

Nalbari massacres
Nalbari Police make vital breakthrough

NALBARI, Oct 31: The Nalbari Police today arrested Nripendra Das (47) of Sandha, who hired the Tata Sumo (AS-14/6663) for the killers of Baruah Road and Bhakatpara Road massacre here, in which altogether ten persons, including a minor, were killed on Friday last. [AT]

NLFT ultra shot dead in encounter

AGARTALA, Oct 31: In yet another information-specific operatation, Tripura police shot dead a hardcore National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) extremist at remote Sangrampara under Natunbazar police station in South Tripura district early this morning. [AT]

ULFA gang moving freely

NAGAON, Oct 31: The Suresh Bora-led "action group" gang of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which had entered Nagaon during the Durga Puja, has been moving freely in Nagaon district creating a great deal of tension at Urigaon, Barhampur, Putani, Kondoli etc., villages. Despite a massive manhunt, the police is yet to make any breakthrough except the arrest of "corporal major", who is undergoing treatment at the GMCH. [S]