Bank robbery bid in Kokrajhar; three killed in police encounter

GUWAHATI: Three miscreants were killed in a police encounter in Kokrajhar on Sunday after they attempted a bank robbery.

According to sources, the incident took place early on Sunday morning when the gang of miscreants tried to sneak into a branch of Allahabad Bank in Kokrajhar, about 226km from Guwahati.

Police claimed that the 'dacoits' were killed in "retaliatory firing". "Upon being intercepted, the dacoits opened fire on police. In retaliatory fire by police, three dacoits from nearby districts were injured & later succumbed," Assam director general of police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said. He added that items including vehicles, tools, gas cutters, two pistols along with oxygen cylinders were recovered.

With this fresh encounter, the total number of accused shot dead by the Assam Police since May 10 has gone upto 20. On the other hand, 30 more persons have suffered bullet injuries during the same time period.

It may be mentioned that at least four men have been killed in police encounters in Assam in the past two weeks. A dacoit was shot dead after he made an attempt to flee from police custody in Darrang district on August 11. The dacoit, who was a history sheeter was caught in Kharupetia. While he was being taken to the police station, he attacked a few policeman and tried fleeing away. The cops retaliated and shot at him as a result of which he died on the spot.

Police in Assam has been claiming that they had to open fire on all the accused as they (accused) allegedly tried escape from police custody. It may also be mentioned that the Assam police has been in an "super aggressive mode" ever since chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took charge as the chief minister of the state and has conducted several operations to curb various crimes.

Also Read: Assam: Cotton University's entrance test for UG admission cancelled

Also Watch: