Hamren Police district Superintendent of Police, Nityananda Goswami and one of his personal security officer, (PSO) Rahul Nunisa were killed in an encounter with militants of Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers (KPLT) said, Assam Home Commissioner G.D Tripathi. Mr. Tripathi told The Hindu that the Army and other security forces had been rushed along with senior police officers to the spot.
Initial police reports stated that the encounter took place at a place called Mokoilung when Mr. Goswami led a police team for a specific counter insurgency operation against the KPLT in Hamren police district in the hill district. The KPLT is a breakaway faction of insurgent Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front(KLNLF) which is enagaged in talks with the Centre and the Assam Government.
The KPLT has been demanding creation of a Hemprek Kangthim (self-ruled homeland) for the Karbi people.
Police said that the KPLT had suffered rverses in stepped up operation against the outfit in the hill district.
The bodies of Goswami and his PSO were recovered this morning, he said.
The IGP described the SP’s operation as a “gallant action”.
(with inputs from PTI)
