Rising Incidents of Extortion Causes Concern Among Assamese

Guwahati, Jun 28 : Rising incidents of abduction and extortion by militant outfits are causing a serious concern for people in Assam.

A recent incident of abduction and murder in the name of a banned outfit has sent out shock waves in the state.

Assam Irrigation Department’s Executive Engineer Manik Baishya, was abducted from Khanapara and was killed for a ransom of 25 lakh rupees.

The police apprehended the culprits who claimed to be members of the ULFA.

The perpetrators however turned out to be Baishya’s driver and two others who strangled him to death.

The Police are investigating if there is any involvement of the ULFA in the incident.

“Right now it is very premature to say whether ULFA is involved or not. We will be able to explain everything only after detailed interrogation of the accused persons,” said Pallab Bhattacharya, IGP Central Western Range Assam

On June 20, suspected NDFB militants kidnapped 25-year-old Nepali-origin businessman, Madhab Bhatta Rai from his residence in Sonitpur district.

Intensive search operations by police and para-military forces to find him are still on.

Such incidents have created a fear psychosis among the people.

Militants often resort to extortion, abductions and killings.

Now, others have also taken to these illegal activities to earn easy money.

This has been condemned by the people who want strict measures to be taken curb the menace.

“Earlier, we see militants; ULFA, NDFB and others used to do such kind of extortion practices but nowadays some common people have also started giving extortion notes,” said Rose Mahanta a resident of Assam.

“We have been noticing that ULFA and others are engaged in extortion. Such incidents are rising by the day. Mislead youth, running after easy money are also engaged in extortion and they are targeting contractors and government officials,” said Mukul Kalita, a local, Guwahati

Militancy linked violence and crimes have adversely affected the society.

Rising incidents of extortion and abduction are coming in the way what people want in Assam, which is to lead a peaceful and normal life.