Violence has not returned to the district known as the country's sugarcane-belt, but political divisions remain as Hindus typically vote for BJP and Muslims for the opposition
Three ULFA rebels, one Indian army major dies in clash
One Indian army major and three ULFA rebels were killed in a fierce gun battle on the India-Myanmar border on Wednesday.
Published : 7 June 2017, 10:21 AM
Updated : 7 June 2017, 10:32 AM
Military officials said the rebels were trying to enter Assam from Nagaland after having crossed over from their base in Myanmar's Sagaing province.
Around 12.30pm in the afternoon, an army patrol intercepted an auto-rickshaw carrying the rebels at Oting in Nagaland.
The rebels fired back and an encounter ensued for a while.
Major David Manlum of the 164th Territorial Army regiment was killed in the exchange of fire as he led his troops in an encircling operation.
Three ULFA rebels belonging to the Paresh Barua faction were gunned down on the spot, along with the driver of the auto-rickshaw.
Oting and Lapa Lempong in Nagaland are considered the gateway into India from Myanmar in this densely wooded border region where rebels of the ULFA (Independent) and the NSCN (Khaplang faction) have a strong of bases.
Three other soldiers who were injured in the firefight were rushed to the Jorhat Military Hospital.
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