KOKRAJHAR, May 2 � The orgy of violence has reared its ugly head once again in the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) with unidentified miscreants gunning down at least 20 persons, including children and women, since last night, forcing the administration to impose indefinite curfew in the entire Kokrajhar district and the violence-hit areas of Baksa and Chirang districts.
Police said the death toll is likely to go up as the search for bodies in the remote clash-hit areas of Baksa district is still on.
The trouble started last evening with the killing of eight persons in Gossaigaon and three others in Baksa, while around 6 pm this evening, heavily armed miscreants attacked two villages near the Manas National Park and opened indiscriminate firing and torched houses, resulting in the death of nine persons in the area. Search for more bodies is on.
Top civil and police officials of the Kokrajhar district have rushed to the spot. The injured persons have been admitted in hospitals for treatment.
In another incident that took place around 11.30 this morning, an irate mob attacked three persons with lethal weapons, injuring them seriously, at Makrijhore under the Bogribari police station here while they were coming from Golokganj to Kajalgaon.
Police immediately rushed to the spot and controlled the situation. The injured persons have been admitted to the RNB Civil Hospital here.
Meanwhile, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary has strongly condemned the killings and appealed for peace and harmony in the area. Terming the incidents as �barbaric and inhuman�, he held the NDFB(S) faction responsible for the violence. He also announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the next kin of each victim�s family and Rs 50,000 to those who were injured in the incidents.
Mohilary also urged the government to take stern action against the NDFB(S) and adequate security measures for the safety and security of the people of BTAD.
Several political and non-political organisations, including BPPF, have strongly condemned the incidents and appealed for peace.
Meanwhile, a peace meeting was held here today, which was chaired by Kokrajhar DC Nitin Khade. Representatives of most political parties, student organisations and senior citizens attended the meeting.
Our Jalah Correspondent adds: Tension prevails in Baksa district following the killing of three persons at Narsingbari under Gobordona police station in Salbari subdivision around 8 pm last evening.
Meanwhile, miscreants again at Nonkkagabari under Gobordhona police station this evening killing at least eight people. Baksa Deputy Commissioner Vinod Seshan said around 8-12 people have been killed, but �we are yet to ascertain the actual figure.� Seven of the recovered dead bodies have been identified.
In a separate incident, seven people were injured when miscreants attacked them in an area between Bapeta Road and Gobodhona. The people were on their way towards Gobordhona in a vehicle when they were stopped and attacked, injuring all of them.
