Police release photos of NDFB militants, announce cash awards

The Assam Police Monday released the photographs of some of the top leaders of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and announced cash awards on their heads.

Police released the photographs of five top leaders, including chairman I.K. Songbijit and announced cash awards to the tune of Rs.10 lakh on a total of 15 senior militants.

While cash awards of Rs.10 lakh each was announced on Songbijit, general secretary B. Saoraigwra, publicity secretary and military secretary C. Rwikha and spokesperson Ranjit Basumatary, amounts of Rs.5 lakh was declared on the other 11.

The police decided to release the photographs and announce the cash awards after the anti-talk faction of the NDFB killed at least eight people and injured 10 others since last Friday in different locations of the state.

While the militants attacked bus passengers in Kokrajhar district late Friday night and killed five civilians and injured four others, the outfit cadres killed another person Saturday evening at Ambagan in Udalguri district in the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD). The militants also fired indiscriminately at Bagidara village in Chirang district Saturday evening, killing one person and injuring five others.

Sunday, the rebels injured a trader in Sonitpur district. Police also recovered a body from the Dhubri-Kokrajhar border Sunday morning, thereby taking the tally to eight killed and 10 injured since Friday.

"Whoever helps police in arresting these leaders either alive or any other form will be given the cash awards," said a statement issued by the Assam Police. The police have also assured the identity of the informants would be kept secret.

Police have released the photographs of Songbijit, Ranjit Basumatary, western command commandant Binod Mushahary, deputy army chief Bishnu Goyari and platoon commander Joyadrath Basumatary.