Tinsukia: Protesters blocked National Highway 37 at Talap Tiniali and Doomdooma in Tinsukia district on Saturday during a 24-hour bandh called to protest the killing of a grocery shop staff and a customer in Rupai on Friday.
Rupai is located on the outskirts of Doomdooma town.
The Doomdooma belt bandh, called by Marwari Yuva Manch, saw business establishments remain shut in Doomdooma, Talap and Rupai. State convener of the social service wing of the manch, Deepak Patwari, said, "The bandh was called to protest the repeated attacks on the business community in Doomdooma circle. We demand immediate arrest of the culprit. We also demand compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the kin of victims, government job for a family member and security for the businessmen. We have submitted a memorandum to the district administration."
A businessman said they have become soft targets ever since Ulfa was formed. "Sometimes its the Ulfa and at other times dacoits or criminals target us. The presence of security forces hardly deters them. The army unit headquarters at Rupai and Doomdooma police station is a few kilometres from the location of yesterday's attack," he said.
The Telegraph is in possession of CCTV footage which shows a masked man in blue shirt and gun in hand walk into the grocery shop at 7.28pm, forcefully grab a wad of cash and put it in his pocket. He opens the cash box and takes out more money when a person behind the counter, stands up and grabs the attacker from behind.
During the tussle, the criminal opens fire and staff Jeet Verma and customer Ramakanta Deori slump to the ground. However, the shopowner and other staff manage to catch the assailant while his accomplice flees.
Doomdooma police have arrested the assailant, Rupantar Moran.
A case has been registered against him under Section 448, 302, 397, 34 of the IPC and Section 25(1)(A) and 27 of Arms Act.
Tinsukia superintendent of police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said, "The second accused was identified as Montu Moran, who is on the run. This was a dacoity and has nothing to do with Ulfa (I). Operations are under way to nab the accomplice. We have seized a .32mm pistol from the spot."
Sources said .32mm and 9mm being service calibre should not be easily available with criminals or dacoits.
