Bodoland student leader shot dead in Assam

Tension gripped parts of Assam after two unidentified assailants shot dead Lafikul Islam, president of the All Bodoland Minority Students' Union (ABMSU), on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said two motorcycle-borne assailants shot at Lafikul in Basugaon area in Kokrajhar district around 3.30 p.m. from close range. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Two people have been detained so far in this connection.

Later in the day, ABMSU supporters blocked roads by burning tyres and shouted slogans in Basugaon and other adjoining areas, protesting the killing.

Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia condemned the murder and termed it "a failure on the part of the state government to maintain law and order".

"Late Islam boldly raised his voice against various injustice meted out to people living in Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts by the government as well as by a section of people," said Saikia, while demanding action against the assailants. - IANS