Assam violence toll rises to 68, Tarun Gogoi warns of stern action
PM Modi expressed grief over the killings and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to families of the dead and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured.
Three tribals or adivasis were killed in Assam on Wednesday when police fired at thousands of angry people who took to the streets, a day after Bodo militants massacred 65 unarmed tribals.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday termed the serial attacks by NDFB(S) on adivasi community across the state as 'most heinous, most cowardly and most barbaric' and said the government will deal with the militant outfit 'very firmly'.
Addressing a press conference, the chief minister said he will request Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is scheduled to visit the state, to launch a joint operation by army, paramilitary forces and Assam Police to flush out militants.
"The killing of innocent people by NDFB(S) militants is most heinous, most cowardly and most barbaric. We strongly condemn it...Assam and the central governments will not surrender to insurgents," he said.
Terming the current situation 'very critical', Gogoi said, "These (militants) forces must be curbed and such violence cannot be allowed to continue. We will deal with NDFB(S) very firmly."
PM Modi expressed grief over the killings and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to families of the dead and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured.
The Assam government has announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to families of the dead and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the violence.
The Prime Minister's Office said Rs 86 lakh will be released to the Assam government.
Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh has reached Assam to take stock of the situation. He is likely to visit the areas hit by the violence.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh reaches Guwahati (in pic: HM's convoy) pic.twitter.com/uHFWutICoh&; ANI (@ANI_news) December 24, 2014
Both Modi and Rajnath Singh telephoned Gogoi on Tuesday night and promised all help to deal with the situation.