‘If MHA knew, why wasn’t Army sent?’
Bogged down by criticism from all quarters for inaction, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi here on Friday said that even after giving requisition to induct the Army to contain violence in Western Assam, security forces came very late.
Obviously upset over home ministry’s claim of alerting the state administration about a possible conflict, Mr Gogoi told reporters, “If the Centre had intelligence inputs about the impending violence in Assam, it should have sent in the Army earlier.”
Mr Gogoi however categorically denied to have received any such inputs from home ministry.
Mr Gogoi clarified that he had asked for Central forces soon after four people were killed by miscreants. “It took the forces four days to reach,” said Mr Gogoi pointing out that state government was not in favour of taking away the paramilitary forces when it was withdrawn last year.
“I know the limitation of the home ministry. They have to look after the need of all the states so we agreed,” said Mr Gogoi claiming that there was no incident except one small incident of arson in Baksha since Thursday.
However, contrary to the claim of the chief minister there were reports of a relief camp being attacked and recovery of bodies from trouble-torn areas of Chirang and Kokrajhar even on Friday.
Security agencies keeping a close watch on situation said that tension was still simmering in the area and rumour mongers are posing serious threat to the peace of trouble-torn BTC.
Mr Gogoi said that the police has been asked to arrest the culprits and ensure that the violence does not escalate further. He also claimed that people have started returning to their villages and it was a good sign.
Mr Gogoi also asked the electronic media to refrain from flashing old video of violence as it may provoke violence.
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