GUWAHATI, Jan 29 � The Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) continued to suffer major setbacks as a hardcore leader of the outfit was killed in Kokrajhar last night, while five cadres were arrested in Chirang district.
A self-styled sergeant major of the outfit, Jornaluis Narzary alias Jankla was killed in an encounter with police in Ripu Reserved Forest under Kachugaon Police Station last night. Police sources said arms and ammunition including a 7.65 mm pistol, a magazine, two grenades etc., were recovered. Sources said there were some other militants in the hideout, who managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
Sources said the killing of Jankla was a major blow to the militant outfit as he was a close associate of G Bidai, the commander-in-chief of the NDFB (S). He was the main man involved in the killing of schoolgirl Priya Basumatary and was also involved in snatching of weapons from the Eco Task Force in October last year. He was also wanted in several other cases of killing and kidnapping.
It may be mentioned that after killing Priya in broad daylight, Jankla and his associates openly brandished their weapons in front of TV cameras in full view of the villagers, who were forced to see the dastardly murder of the teenaged girl.
Meanwhile, in another blow to the NDFB(S),�two�of its hardcore militants and three overground workers were apprehended by troops of the Red Horns Division and Assam Police in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts today. The operation was planned based on specific intelligence provided by the Gajraj Military Intelligence Unit. Among those nabbed was Sansuma Brahma alias B Susrwn, a Myanmar-trained ultra. A large quantity of arms and ammunition to include one 7.65mm pistol, two country-made revolvers, crude bombs and two hand grenades were recovered during these operations.
In the drive against the terrorist organisation, the Army has stepped up its operation in the deep jungles of Kokrajhar and Chirang post-December 23, 2014. These operations have resulted in the apprehension of 38 NDFB(S) cadres, which includes Enon, the chief recruiting officer of the terrorist organization and third in hierarchy. Many middle and lower rung cadres of the outfit have also been apprehended, who had direct or indirect involvement in the carnage of Adivasis on the night of December 23.
