GUWAHATI: Situation in the violence-affected areas of Assam was fast returning to normal and no fresh incidents have been reported in the last five days.
‘The situation is returning to normal. The main incident was on December 23 and minor incidents were reported on December 24 and 25,’ Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said here on Tuesday.
He said the toll in the carnage stood at 79, including three in police firing, while 44 others have been injured, one of them critically. Two-three persons are still missing.
Over 2.11 lakh people are sheltered in relief camps in different parts of the state.
‘No new refugees have reported in any camp since yesterday (Monday). The process of sending the people back home will start from today (Tuesday),’ Gogoi said.
He said about 600-700 people had taken shelter in Arunachal Pradesh and are being brought back Tuesday.
Another 700 people are staying in Alipurduar in West Bengal and the state government had sent its officials to meet and convince them to return Monday.
‘But the Alipurduar deputy commission refused permission to our officials to meet the refugees. Our chief secretary is taking up the matter with his West Bengal counterpart. If needed, I will also speak to Mamata Banerjee,’ Gogoi added.
He said the people had fled their villages due to panic and rumours of more attacks and the government is trying to provide security at all vulnerable places.
Altogether 135 companies of various paramilitary forces are currently deployed in the state and pickets are being set up with their help.
Curfew in the affected areas has also been relaxed during daytime.
The NDFB(S) carnage had affected the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts and Sonitpur district. (UNI)
