Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday that the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) was directly involved in the Kokrajhar market attack that claimed 14 lives.
Mr. Sonowal, who holds the Home portfolio, said the police had vital information and taken contact numbers from the phone of a gunned- down terrorist.
“The involvement of other groups with the NDFB(S) would come to light as soon as the police get vital clues, which can lead to a breakthrough in investigation,” a statement from the Chief Minister’s office said.
Emphasising that the government had “zero-tolerance for terrorism,” he said, “We are fully committed towards protecting the life and property of the people of the State and we consider it as our first and foremost duty.”
Senior police officers told The Hindu that the attack was a “desperate attempt” by the NDFB(S) to stay relevant. In the past two years, about 600 cadres and linkmen of the outfit had either been apprehended or killed.
National Investigation Agency officials visited the Belajan Tinali market and spoke to eyewitnesses.
