Four Maoists killed in Assam

Guwahati, May 9 (IANS) Four suspected Maoist guerrillas were killed in a shootout with security forces in Assam's Tinsukia district Wednesday, police said.

Three others escaped in the incident that took place in Borbaruah village, about 600 km from here, said Tinsukia Superintendent of Police P.P. Singh. Those killed have not been identified.

"We suspect one of the slain cadres to be a regional commander. But we can confirm this only after identification by family members," he said.

An Assam police constable was also injured in the shootout.

A hunt was on to trace the other cadres.

A police operation began early Wednesday following a tip that that some Maoists had taken shelter in the village.

Police said three AK 47s, two grenades and some ammunition were recovered from the site.

The operation was a major success, said a senior official at the police headquarters here. Tinsukia, he said, was one of the seven districts where the Maoists had expanded their activities.

There have been several reports of extortion drives by the Maoists in Tinsukia, he added.

The Assam government has initiated training programmes for deputy commissioners and superintendents of police and other officials on how to counter the Maoists.