Kokrajhar attack: Killing of innocents unacceptable, says NCP

Criticising strongly the attack on innocent people in Kokrajhar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)on Saturday said the method adopted by militants to get their demand accepted by the government is unacceptable.

"The approach adopted by the militant is unacceptable. They thought that pressure would be mounted on the government and the issues would be solved; this is an absolutely ironic assumption. Attack on innocent people must be condemned by one and all," said senior NCP leader Majeed Memon.

Memon said even if the issue of the attackers were genuine, the matter cannot be resolved by killing and hurting innocent civilians, they should have tried to resolve it by discussing it with the government.

"Any matter cannot be solved like this, even if there is a problem and their issues are genuine and deserving enough," he said.

"I would appeal to the people behind this attack that the manner in which they tried to implement is absolutely unacceptable and problem won't be solved by this manner," he added.

Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal visited Kokrajhar to take stock of the situation arising out of Friday's terror attack that claimed 13 lives.

Sonowal briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday about the situation.

The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia amount of Rs. 5 lakh next of kin to deceased, one lakh rupees to those seriously injured and free treatment to other injured.

Meanwhile, The Assam Police have arrested the driver of the auto used by militants to reach Balajan Tiniali market.

Additional DGP L.R. Bishnoi said three to four militants carried out the Friday's attack.

He said while one militant was gunned down by security forces, efforts are on to nab the remaining attackers.

The National Investigation Agency has sent a team to the site of the incident to collect evidence. The Centre is also closely monitoring the situation arising out of the Kokrajhar attack.