Assam additional chief secretary to probe SP's killing

The Assam government Monday asked the state's Additional Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Das to probe the death of a police superintendent and his personal security officer in a gunfight with militants in Karbi Anglong.

Hamren district Superintendent of Police Nityananda Goswami and his security officer Ratul Nunisa were killed in Rangphu in Karbi Anglong district June 5.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Monday asked Das to inquire into the circumstances leading to the death of the two people and to submit a report to him, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.

The incident took place at a remote village on the Assam-Meghalaya border in Karbi Anglong district. The police superintendent received a tip-off about some militants hiding in the area and launched an operation. He was accompanied by only 18 police personnel.

On reaching the village, the police team divided themselves into three six-member teams. Goswami's team came face to face with a group of 25 militants who killed him and his security officer.

The state government has suspended the four other security officers who fled the place during the operation.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju visited Assam Saturday and reviewed the law and order situation.

He said five units of the Central Reserve Police Force's Cobra battalion will be sent to the state to launch counter-insurgency operations.