New Delhi: Union Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan has urged the National Commission for Minorities to visit the riot-hit parts of Assam and submit a report.
"We have asked the Minority Commission to visit and send a report... It is an autonomous body, I have requested them to go (to the area)", Khan said while interacting with members of Indian Women`s Press Corps here.
Over 30 people were killed, several others injured and hundreds rendered homeless in two districts of Assam after attacks by Bodo militants. The recent violence was reported in Kokrajhar and Baksa districts of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District of the northeastern state.
Khan said the issue of Bangladeshis is being raised which has emboldened the Bodo militants.
"By raising the issue, you are emboldening the Bodo militants. This is the right time to attack and they have done it and innocent lives have been lost," the Minister said, citing the remarks of BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and party president Rajnath Singh about the Bangladeshis living in India.
He also said correct figures on the Bangladeshi population in India was not available.
Asked about the suggestion to arm Muslims in Bodoland as a measure to provide them security from the militants, Khan refused to comment.
On Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh where he had campaigned, Khan claimed there is a fear that minority votes could split as several parties, which have following among minority voters, are in fray.
Pointing out that there were four lakh minorities in Varanasi, he said "there is a fear that minority votes would be divided. The reason is that there is AAP, SP and BSP. Each of these parties has some influence in UP among the minorities."
