Bodo rebels launch fresh strikes in Assam

GUWAHATI, JULY 3: Renewed strikes by Bodo rebels on security forces four weeks after two dreaded Bodo groups — the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) — joined forces, have given the Assam government new cause for worry. Seven policemen have died in the recent spate of attacks which also left over a dozen injured. The state police sensed trouble as soon as news of the collaboration came in, bringing with it fears of a fresh bout of extortions and abductions. Several extortion notices being received by businessmen and non-Bodo residents in the past week. A couple of abductions have also been reported. In Rangiya, about 50 km from Guwahati, the rebels successfully lured in a group of policemen by orchestrating a fake abduction and then launched an ambush on the police team.

Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has said on record that the forging of links between the two Bodo rebel groups has resulted in sharing of expertise and resources by the outfits,posing a fresh threat to the state.