Man shot dead in Guwahati (Second Lead)

GUWAHATI - An employee of a distribution company for Coca Cola was gunned down on a busy road in Assam’s main city of Guwahati Tuesday morning while he was on his way to a bank, police said, suspecting the involvement of Bodo militants.

A police spokesperson said Keshab Phukan was shot with small weapons from close range in the crowded R.G. Baruah Road around 11 a.m.

Phukan was on his way to the Punjab National Bank to deposit cash when two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle pumped three bullets from a small weapon from very close range, he said.

Phukan was declared brought dead by doctors at a local hospital.

“The gunmen managed to loot the bag containing cash. We are not sure about the amount as investigations are still underway. But it appears to be a clear case of looting by Bodo militants (National Democratic Front of Bodoland),” the official said.

Police said there could be three people involved in the attack.

“It was probably a red coloured motorcycle and the gunmen sped away soon after the crime,” the official said.