Bravery award in name of Assam girl

The Assam government Sunday announced setting up of a bravery award in the name of a school girl who was killed by Bodo militants as they suspected her to be a police informer.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi directed police to apprehend the killers of Priya Basumatary, a 16-year-old school student of Dwimuguri village under Runikhata police station in Chirang district of Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD).

Armed cadres of the anti-talk faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) Aug 20 dragged the girl from her house and shot her dead in front of the villagers accusing her to be a police informer.

The militants also assaulted the parents of the girl.

Police said the militants had killed the girl in retaliation to a gun battle that killed five militants of the group in the village in the same day.

"Our government will perpetuate the hallowed memory of the little brave girl, who defied the dictates of the killers," Gogoi said in a statement.

"Her valour and sacrifice will continue to inspire and motivate the young generation for years to come," he said.

The chief minister also announced Rs.20 lakh as financial assistance to the next of kin of the deceased.