New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday said the situation in the Northeastern state was "peaceful and under control" and 170 people were arrested after registration of 309 cases there.
The Home Ministry said in a statement that by and large normalcy has restored in Kokrajhar and other violence-affected districts after regular patrolling by Army troops and deployment of 6,500 paramilitary and state police personnel.
"104 fixed police pickets have already been established. At present, the security situation in Assam is peaceful and under control. 65 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed. In addition, Army has also been deployed in the violence-affected areas," it said.
"As normalcy has been restored by and large in the area, the day time curfew has been lifted. The security situation in Assam is being monitored both at the Centre and state regularly. There is no reason to panic over the situation in Assam," it said. Giving a list of steps being taken by the government after the violence, the Home Ministry said more than 309 cases have been registered and 170 people found involved in the violence were arrested while CBI has taken over the probe into seven cases where conspiracy is suspected.
Prime Minster Manmohan Singh had visited violence- affected areas on July 28 and announced a package of Rs 300 crore for relief and rehabilitation of affected persons.
The Home Ministry said an ex gratia amount of Rs 8 lakh has been announced for the next-of-the-kin of the deceased. Financial assistance will also be provided to the persons injured. Besides, Rs 30,000 to each of the family for reconstruction of houses burnt in the violence will be provided. "Till yesterday, 1,55,000 people have returned to their native places and 101 relief camps have been closed. Remaining inmates will be returned to their native places shortly," it said.
Assam government has been providing ex-gratia and relief which includes food, essential commodities like clothing, drinking water, and medical facility to the inmates staying in the relief camps set up by the state government.
Health Ministry has also released Rs 100 crore under NRHM scheme to Assam on Thursday while Union Home Secretary R K Singh reviewed relief and rehabilitation measures with Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary in Assam through video conference.
The meeting decided that the Health Ministry will depute 30 more doctors to Assam in addition to 181 doctors already deployed so that each camp should have a designated doctor.
Besides, the Health Ministry will provide additional mosquito nets to Assam. The Union Home Secretary also spoke to the district administrations of Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Bongaigaon and Chirang through video conference.
"It was noted that there was no shortage of food, medicines, drinking water etc. In the camps, People are requested to maintain peace and not be swayed by rumors. There is no reason to panic," the Home Ministry statement said.
PTI