Amidst apprehension that elements from across the border may try to sneak in to aggravate the continuing unrest in Assam, the Border Security Force has alerted its troops on the India-Bangladesh border.
The IB “categorically ruled out the involvement of any external elements across the border in the carnage.’’ The comprehensive report given to home secretary R.K. Singh described the violence as a “localised problem’’ which erupted due to a “long standing history of clashes between ethnic and religious groups’’. “Illegal migration has for more than once been the trigger of such violence in the region in the past,’’ the report adds. The home ministry maintained the border has been adequately sealed to prevent any subversive elements from crossing over.
Speaking to this newspaper, BSF DG U.K. Bansal said a revised strategy has been adopted to crackdown on illegal movements on the international border. 39 companies (3,900 personnel) of the BSF are being deployed in various affected districts in Assam. Apart from this, the Army and other Central forces have mobilised thousands of personnel to contain the situation.
The MHA has asked the Assam government to crackdown on leaders of both the Bodo and minority communities leading the clashes. “The Centre and the state government are both clear that any violence on any side that is instigated and that results in loss of life, the leaders on both sides shall be made responsible,” Union home secretary R.K. Singh said. Top government officials admitted there was “laxity’’ on part of the local police at the onset of the clashes even while the home ministry dismissed suggestions that the Assam government was slow to act when the violence started almost a week ago. 100 people have been arrested for fuelling the unrest in Assam so far.
In the memorandum submitted to the home minister, the MPs rejected the state government’s claim that the situation is under control and demanded that a team of MPs should visit the state to assess the situation and restore confidence among the violence-affected people.
Mr Chidambaram said there was no casualty in the past 24 hours. He said the CM will brief him after his visit to the riot-affected areas.