Assam violence: Relatives perform last rites, CM`s aide assures strict action

Zee Media Bureau

Guwahati: The relatives of the victims, who had refused to perform the last rites till Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi visits to Nankekhadrabari area, on Sunday buried the dead, following assurance from a representative of the state government. The locals who were protesting in the Nankekhadrabari area here finally agreed to perform the last rites of 18 persons including women and children today after a minister, sent by Gogoi, met the protesters. The representative of the CM have assured the protesters here that the state government would do everything possible to get justice for those killed in the violence in the last three days. As per news reports, the attacks were targeted by the suspected National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbhijit faction). Earlier in the day, the relatives protested alleging that the administrations were threatening to take action against them if they do not bury the dead. "Does our life have no value? We are only demanding that we are protected and we are not attacked and killed in future" they told reporters, according to PTI. Indefinite curfew has been imposed in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Baksa districts even as scared villagers have fled the area fearing for their safety. However, curfew was relaxed in Chirang district for six hours from 10 am today. The protest comes a day after the probe into the incident was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and 22 people were arrested in connection with the violence. The attack took place on Thursday night when the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) anti-faction militants opened fire in two villages of Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD) killing five people on the spot. The next attack took place in Kokrajhar district where eight people were killed. As per reports, militants targeted the villagers for not voting for their candidate in the elections. However, police suspects that the attacks are in retaliation for the ongoing anti-insurgency operation by the security forces in the BTAD region, where some NDFB militants have been killed recently. Army troops have been deployed in the area even as more paramilitary troops are expected to be positioned today. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took stock of situation today morning and have directed Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar to continuously monitor the situation. Singh, who is also Rajya Sabha MP from Assam had summoned top security officials, including the National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon to find ways to prevent any further escalation of violence in this region.