Assam Minister Clears Air on Border Extortion Attempt

Guwahati: Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika stepped forward Wednesday to quell tensions regarding an extortion scheme in the Uriamghat border area. Officials confirmed that the attempt to shake down local villagers had no ties to the Naga community or the Nagaland state government.

Trouble started on June 23 when two men from Hukai Basti in Nagaland crossed into the Rajapukhuri village area. They hit up village headmen, demanding 110 rupees from every household under the guise of house and census taxes. The letters invoked the name of the NSCN/GPRN (Nikki) faction to intimidate residents. Thankfully, investigators found no proof that anyone actually paid the money.

Hazarika told the state assembly that branding an entire group for the crimes of two people is wrong. Police have identified the suspects, but the pair is still on the run. Security forces have ramped up patrols and surveillance across the border zone to track them down.

Hazarika stated: "The matter has been communicated to the CRPF, neutral forces and the border magistrate, Sarupathar." Authorities are keeping a close watch on the border. The situation remains calm, and the government promised to take hard action against the culprits once they are caught.