Samata candidate shot at in Assam

GUWAHATI, MAY 2. In a fresh bout of violence ahead of the Assembly polls in Assam, suspected ULFA ultras today shot at a Samata Party candidate and killed four others, including two AGP activists, prompting the Centre to rush paramilitary reinforcements.

ULFA militants barged into a roadside hotel and fired at the Samata Party candidate for Rangia constituency, Mr. Dipak Kalita, when he was having lunch at Goreswar in Kamrup district, police said, adding a party worker was killed in the attack.

In a separate incident, two AGP activists were killed and another injured by suspected ULFA militants at Bilasipara in Dhubri district in the wee hours today.

Police said a group of six ULFA militants attacked the AGP office in Raniganj and shot at the three men inside, killing one. Another person succumbed to injuries on way to hospital and the third is stated to be in a critical condition.

The latest round of violence came a day after the killing of the BJP Dibrugarh contestant, Jayanta Dutta, and five others, including the party's district secretary, Biren Phukan, also by suspected ULFA insurgents.

The Congress office at Ghograpar in Nalbari district was set on fire. The owner of a nearby tea-stall, who was sleeping inside his shop, was burnt to death as the blaze spread. Meanwhile, the Centre is dispatching additional reinforcements of paramilitary forces. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. M.S. Gill, had today with the Union Home Secretary, Mr. Kamal Pande, in Delhi. - PTI

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Section  : State Elections
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