Guwahati, July 19: Amrit Dutta, one of the accused in the kidnapping and murder of social activist Sanjoy Ghose, was killed in a joint operation by police and CRPF in Majuli this evening.

The incident comes on a day the leaders of the pro-peace A and C companies of Ulfa’s 28 battalion finalised the ground rules with government officials, paving the way for bilateral ceasefire.

Jorhat police confirmed that Dutta was killed in the encounter at Jorabeel Katoniati, a remote village under Garmur police station in Majuli. Details are awaited, they said.

Ghose, the secretary of Avard-NE who was working for the development of the river island since 1996, was abducted by Ulfa on July 4, 1997, murdered and thrown into the Brahmaputra.

Sources said Dutta was arrested a few months after the disappearance of Ghose, but jumped bail to rejoin Ulfa. Dutta belonged to the 28 battalion but was allegedly running an extortion racket on his own for the past year.

Meanwhile, pro-peace Ulfa leaders Mrinal Hazarika and Jiten Dutta separately met home commissioner Rajib Bora and police officials to finalise ground rules.

Sources said the cadres of the two companies would be allowed to keep arms only inside designated camps, will not carry out extortion and will have to intimate local authorities before leaving the camp. The government will fund the entire expenses of the cadres and their families.

The pro-peace leaders also called on jailed Ulfa publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and cultural secretary Pranati Deka. The duo are understood to have said that they were with Ulfa’s central leadership.