CRPF jawan opens fire at colleagues, two dead

A CRPF jawan today allegedly opened indiscriminate fire at his colleagues when they were out on an operational task in the district, leaving his colleague and a Class IX student dead.

Ten others were injured in the firing that took place when the CRPF jawans were on duty at an agitation spot on the National Highway-31.

A large number of people under the banner of the Tihu Sub-Division Demand Committee were blocking the NH-31 at Tihu.

"While on duty, a CRPF jawan suddenly started firing indiscriminately, mainly on his colleagues. Two persons were killed on the spot and several others were injured," Nalbari Deputy Commissioner Om Prakash told reporters here.

The havildar, identified as Amal Kumar Das, allegedly killed a CRPF Assistant Sub-Inspector D R Bordoloi and Himangshu Tamuli, an agitator studying in Class IX, he said.

"Four more CRPF personnel and one agitator sustained bullet injuries and were treated at the Shahid Mukunda Kalita Civil Hospital. Later, they were shifted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in A critical condition," Prakash said.

The injured CRPF personnel were Janardan Mahal (33), Dayaram Boro (41), Diganta Kumar Baniya (34) and Nirmal Das (40), while the agitator has been identified as Brajen Baishya (21).

Besides, five more agitators were injured during the commotion on the spot and they were being treated at a local hospital at Tihu, the DC said.

"We are yet to get the details, but it appears that the CRPF jawan was mentally disturbed. It was not a firing on protesters," Prakash said.

The DC praised the Additional Deputy Commissinoer Mrigesh Barua, who was on the spot to talk to agitators demanding creation of Tihu sub-division, for showing courage and snatching the rifle of the CRPF jawan.

"Barua's courage have saved a few more lives. He snatched the rifle from the CRPF jawan and pulled him down to the ground," Prakash said.

Senior officials of the paramilitary and local police have reached the spot even as CRPF has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the fratricidal incident.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi termed the incident AS "unfortunate" and said this showed the level of frustration among the personnel of central forces.

"Such incidents are happening more frequently these days. This is alarming. I request the central government to do everything possible to improve the working and living condition of the jawans," the chief minister said.

Gogoi said it was "not a fight with demonstrators, but firing by a CRPF jawan on his colleagues".