GUWAHATI, July 1 ? Heavy exchange of fire took place between the Assam Police personnel and militants belonging to the NSCN (IM) under Mangamukh Border outpost area in Karbi Anglong district since 2.30 pm today. Though one magistrate was reportedly killed in the incident, the Minister of State for Home and the State Home Commissioner could not confirm the report till late in the evening.
According to police sources in Karbi Anglong, Naga people backed by the NSCN (IM) encroached into the territory of Assam under Manglamukh BOP under Diphu police station and today a team of Assam Police and CRPF personnel, along with magistrates launched an operation to evict them. Sources said that the police and CRPF team was fired at by the militants, which resulted in an exchange of fire, which continued for more than six hours. The firing continued till the time of filing of this report at 8 pm and the details of the casualties from either side are not yet known.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Minister of State for Home, Rockybul Hussain said that as the NSCN is under a cease-fire agreement with the Government of India, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi would soon take up the issue with the Centre. He asserted that the State Government would not tolerate such attempts by a militant outfit to encroach into the territory of Assam and all such attempts would be dealt with firmly. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who is in New Delhi has sent an SOS to Army to take immediate and effective steps to restrain the NSCN.