GUWAHATI, India: At least 56 persons were killed while another 80 injured in a series of deadly attacks by tribal separatists in the Indian restive northeastern state of Assam.
Meanwhile, the state authorities on Wednesday have imposed curfew for an indefinite period following the attacks.
The attacks were carried out by the militants of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), an armed separatist outfit which seeks to obtain a sovereign Bodoland for the Bodo people in Assam, in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur districts of the state on Tuesday evening.
The Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) SN Singh said that the NDFB militants attacked the areas as a response to the intensified operation by the security forces.
The Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their separate tweet messages strongly condemned the attack and termed the killing of innocent people as an act of cowardice.
#PresidentMukherjee strongly condemns killings in Assam , says such acts of terror & violence must be put down with a firm hand.
— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) December 24, 2014
Killing of innocent people in Sonitpur & Kokrajhar is an act of cowardice. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the deceased.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 23, 2014
I spoke to Assam CM Shri Tarun Gogoi & Home Minister Rajnath ji. Rajnath ji will travel to Assam and take stock of the situation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 23, 2014
