Leaders condemn civilian killings in Assam

Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday expressed shock over the "brutal killing" of five people by suspected ULFA (Independent) gunmen in the state's Tinsukia district.

Three members of a family were among the five killed while two others were injured in the firing at Kheroni on Thursday night, police said.

The group of assailants, which was armed with sophisticated weapons, fled under the cover of darkness after firing indiscriminately at these people, they said.

"Shocked at the brutal killing of 5 people in Dhola's Kherbari of Tinsukia. I strongly condemn this cowardly act," Sarma tweeted.

"My condolences to bereaved families of victims Ananta Biswas, Abhinash Biswas, Shyamlal Biswas, Subol Das & Dhananjay Namasudra. Perpetrators shall not be spared," he said.

Several students unions and youth organisations including the All Assam Students Union (AASU), Tai Ahom Chatra Santha, also condemned the killings and urged people to not be swayed by communal forces and to stay united.

AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi blamed Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government for allegedly "failing to take preventive measures despite intelligence reports about possible violence".

BJP's Assam unit spokesperson Numal Momin said such violence against innocent people cannot solve any problem and appealed to all to maintain peace.

Meanwhile, the Sadou Asom Bengali Yuba Chatra Federation called for a 24-hour Tinsukia bandh from 5 am on Friday to protest the killings.