Assam to launch operation against NDFB anti-talk faction

Assam Police will soon launch an operation against the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) insurgent outfit, a top official said Saturday.

The decision was taken by police after reports of rampant extortion and abduction by the I.K. Songbijit-led militant outfit in all the four districts of the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD) - Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri.

On Friday, the faction abducted five troopers of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) from Chirang district. Although the militants later released three of the abducted personnel, two are still missing.

"Five jawans of the civil wing of the SSB, who were engaged in some field work in Chirang district, were abducted by cadres of the NDFB anti-talk faction yesterday (Friday).

"The militants later released three of them after police and security forces started a search operation," Assam Police Inspector General (Law and Order) S.N. Singh said Saturday.

"We are planning to launch an operation against the anti-talk faction of the NDFB in a day or two," he said.

Singh also said police have received information from some top leaders of the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) led by Paresh Baruah expressing their willingness to shun the path of violence.

"Some of the top leaders of the anti-talk ULFA and their cadres are also likely to surrender soon," Singh said.