Guwahati: In response to the request by Assam government, the Centre has agreed to dispatch 30 companies of additional paramilitary forces to augment security measures in the violence-affected Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas of Assam.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday informed that out of these ten companies were arriving on Tuesday from West Bengal and rest of the forces would come soon after completion of election duty in different parts of the country. The state government,in fact, asked for 50 companies of forces.
“We have asked for 50 companies (100 personnel each) from the Home Ministry to maintain law and order in BTAD. Of them, 30 companies will be provided by the Centre,” Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told a press conference here today. Ten companies will reach the state during the day from West Bengal after completing poll duties, Gogoi said, adding that he has sought an action plan for future security in BTAD. “These central forces will eventually go back after the situation becomes normal. So, we have to develop a mechanism for providing security to the people of BTAD,” he said. If necessary, the state government will carry out a recruitment drive for providing security to the people, he said.
Total 46 persons including children were killed in the latest spell of violence in BTC areas including 39 in Baksa district and seven in Kokrajhar district.
“Two persons are still missing. Chances of their being alive are very remote, but we cannot declare them dead until we find their bodies,” Gogoi said. “The number of inmates in the relief camp has gone down to 310 from 498 in the last few days,” he said, adding the situation was gradually returning to normal.
It has been alleged by the affected people that Congress ally Bodoland People’s Front miscreants were responsible for the attacks on the people as they did not vote for the party’s candidate in the Lok Sabha polls.
BPF has denied the allegations. Gogoi had earlier said that his government would snap ties with BPF if the charges against it are proved.
A large number of children have been orphaned by the spell of violence that affected the minority community. (With inputs from PTI)
