Simmering tension in Assam-M’laya border
Goalpara carnage
SHILLONG: Simmering tension prevailed on Tuesday in areas along Assam’s border with Meghalaya where tribal militants killed seven people two days ago.
The Assam government has deployed 28 companies of additional security forces in Goalpara district to help police to maintain law and order.
Although Assam Police are pointing their fingers at the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) for carrying out the attack, Meghalaya Home Minister Roshan warjri on Tuesday said the State Government is yet to ascertain which militant outfit was behind the incident.
The state police suspect involvement of another Garo Hills-based militant outfit Unit Achik Liberation Army (UALA) in the carnage.
The militants opened fire from automatic weapons on a group of people gambling on the occasion of Diwali at Gendamari village under Agia police station, killing six on the spot. Another person succumbed to injuries on way to hospital while 10 others were seriously wounded in the attack.
“It is yet to be confirmed if it was a handiwork of GNLA.” Warjri said.
Meghalaya police chief Peter James Pyngrope Hanaman will meet his Assam counterpart Jayanto N. Choudhury on Wednesday in Guwahati to discuss the killings and adopt steps for joint patrolling in those areas.
Speaking to media persons, Warjeri said the State Government would adopt some confidence building measures.
According to her, the parliamentary Secretary incharge of Home is camping in Resubelpara. He is trying to form peace committees with members from two major communities of Assam and Meghalaya, she added.
“The states is having own resources and there are additional central forces to maintain peace,” she said. (With inputs from agencies)