Local congress leader killed by KPLT killed in Assam:
Shillong Times reports that a local Congress leader, identified as Langtuk Killing, was shot dead by suspected Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tigers (KPLT) militants while three of its linkmen have been arrested in Deutaghat Rongpigaon area in Assam’s Karbi Anglong District on October 22.
Meanwhile, an IED blast occurred in the Fulertol-Chripul area in Lakhimpur District bordering Manipur and another powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was found from the same place on October 23, reports The Sentinel.
Separately, Security Forces (SFs) arrested one ‘army chief’ of Noyon faction of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Noyon) identified as Waikhom Chittaranjan Singh alias Achouba alias Pibarel Mangang, 38, from Hatigaon area in Guwahati on October 22. He disclosed himself to be the ‘army chief’ of KCP- Noyon faction and has been operating from Guwahati since the past 3 to 4 months, reports Kanglaonline.
Also, SFs on October 23 arrested a gang of five youths from Lekhapani under Jagun outpost in Jorhat District who were demanding money in the name of ULFA, reports The Telegraph.
Further, giving a fresh impetus to the ongoing peace process, the Government will hold talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on October 25 with an aim of finding a lasting solution to Assam's three-decade-old insurgency problem, Times of India reports. Top ULFA leaders will discuss with Government representatives various aspects of the group's 'charter of demands' which sought amendment in the Constitution for finding "meaningful" ways to protect the rights and identity of the indigenous people of Assam.
Also, The Sentinel reports that Peoples’ Council for Peace and Development (PCPD) has been formed in Sivasagar with the objectives of providing guidance and direction to ULFA to the possible extent, in convening talks with the Government of India by taking into account the real aspirations of the people, the views and approach, as well as, to make the people aware of the conditions and to make them conscious to form opinions and verdicts in this context.
Separately, Assam Tribune reports that in the face of a fresh standoff with the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram has invited Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi to join him on October 24 (today) to resolve the deadlock.
Also, the Terror Victim’s Family Forum, Assam, an umbrella organisation of victims of militancy, on October 23 said they would oppose any move seeking bail for National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) leader Ranjan Daimary, the prime accused in the October 30, 2008, serial blasts that killed close to 100 people and injured hundreds. The forum, which has nearly 6,000 members, condemned the government’s move that facilitated the release of ULFA leaders from jail and said a similar move to release Daimary, if made, would be unacceptable.