Militants from Nagaland fired at trouble-torn Naginijan tea estate in Assam from across the inter-state boundary, forcing labourers to keep away from work today.
A group of 12 to 13 heavily armed insurgents fired without provocation from across the border last night despite the presence of an Assam Police battalion in the estate since June 3, police said.
On June 3, a tea estate labourer Sanjoy Bhumiz was killed and seven others were injured in a similar firing incident from the Nagaland side, the tea estate authorities said.
Tension prevailed along the Assam-Nagaland border as there were reports about heavily armed Naga youths moving about in the area.
All Assam Tea Students Association leader Dipak Tanti today said the tea estate labourers were gearing up to fight the Naga militants.
Security has been tightened along the border.
Tension also prevailed at Mariani under Jorhat district, near the tea estate, on suspicion of Naga ultras holding captive two local car mechanics who had gone to Nagaland to repair a vehicle on June 15, police sources said.
Assam and Nagaland police have launched search operations and also engaged locals to trace the missing youths.
