Rebels kill two ruling party leaders in Assam

INDIA: Suspected separatist rebels gunned down two ruling party leaders after inviting them for talks during an election campaign in India’s troubled northeast, police said Tuesday.

They also kidnapped another leader of the governing Congress party, Ajit Boro, on Monday, said police inspector N.B. Singh. Boro’s fate is unknown.

Suspected rebels invited Purnendu Langthasa, head of an autonomous local administrative council, and his colleague Nandu Langthasa for a meeting in Langlai Hasnu village just after they had ended a nearby election rally Monday, Singh said.

“The two leaders, both seeking re-election in June 12 polls to the local council, were later gunned down by the rebels from close range,” he told The Associated Press.

Rajib Bohra, the Assam state home secretary, said the government had credible reports that the rebels, belonging to the Dima Halam Daogah group headed by Jewel Garlosa, were behind Monday’s killings.

Gauhati, Tuesday, AP.