Five persons were killed in Tinsukia district of Assam on Thursday night when a group of unidentified assailants opened fire at them. According to the police, the assailants are believed to be members of the anti-talk faction of militant outfit ULFA.  A group of assailants with sophisticated weapons came to Kheroni village near Dhola-Sadiya bridge of the district and called out five-six persons from their house around 8 pm.

They then opened indiscriminate fire upon those people before fleeing under the cover of darkness, a police officer said. Police suspect the gunmen belonged to the ULFA (Independent) faction as they were in battle fatigue.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned "the killing of innocent people" and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families.

"Strong action will be taken against the perpetrators of this dastardly violence. We will not tolerate such cowardly act," he said.

We will take strongest action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime. I have directed all law enforcing agencies to maintain peace and take stern action against anybody trying to destabilise our peaceful society and state.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) November 1, 2018

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while denouncing the killings, pointed towards the National Register of Citizens (NRC) issue. Mamata questioned if the killings were related to recent developments linked to NRC in Assam.

"Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia and the killing of Shyamlal Biswas, Ananta Biswas, Abhinash Biswas, Subodh Das. Is this the outcome of recent NRC development?" Mamata said in a series of tweets.

Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia and the killing of Shyamlal Biswas, Ananta Biswas, Abhinash Biswas, Subodh Das. Is this the outcome of recent NRC development ? 1/2

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 1, 2018

"We have no words to express our deep sorrow to the grieving families. The perpetrators must be punished at the very earliest," she added.