Thaindian News

Guwahati, Jan 28 (IANS) Assam police have launched an operation in Assam’s Dhemaji district in search of some Maoists, an official said Saturday.

The drive came after police had a shootout with a suspected Maoist in the district a few days back. The person who fired at police managed to escape.

Police said that the shootout took place when a police party, acting on a tip-off, cordoned off the residence of suspected Maoist Gajen Borpatragohain in Silapathar area in the district. “An armed person fired at the police party and escaped taking advantage of darkness,” police said.

Police later questioned Borpartragohain’s wife Nabanita, who said someone known as Akash Baruah had taked shelter in her house over the last few weeks. She said that her husband was not present at home during police action and it was Baruah who fired at police and escaped.

A police official said that both Borpartragohain and Baruah were listed Maoists, who were actively involved in Mega Dam Resistance Forum - a committee allegedly formed by the Maoists to oppose dam construction in the region.

“Both are known Maoists and they have even received arms training from the rebels in central India,” said the official.

Maoists insurgency is new phenomenon to Assam. A few months ago suspected rebels issued extortion letters to people in some upper Assam districts.