Anarchy in Assam: 32 dead in riots; 150,000 flee conflict

Violence continued unabated in this western Assam district with four persons killed in police firing even as the Centre rushed 1,500 more paramilitary personnel to help to control the ethnic clashes which so far have claimed 25 lives.

Shockingly, as many as 170,00 people have fled their homes fearing further escalation of violence.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called up Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi during the day and directed him to do everything possible to control the violence.

Violence and arson were reported from Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts, while the situation was also tense in neighbouring Bongaigaon and Udalguri districts. Bongaigaon and Udalguri fall under the Bodoland Territorial Areas District.

In Kokrajhar, shoot-at-sight orders and indefinite curfew were in force and the army was deployed, while night curfew was in force in Chirang.

"Four persons were killed in police firing this morning when they were indulging in violence in the Rampur and Chaparkata areas of Kokrajhar," IGP, (BTAD), S N Singh said.

Prime Minister Singh spoke to Gogoi and took stock of the situation. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram also called up the chief minister.

"The Prime Minister has directed him to do everything possible to control the situation and for relief and rehabilitation of the affected," a PMO spokesperson said in Delhi.

State government sources said Gogoi sought for deployment of additional forces in the affected districts.

"We have sent 29 companies. Fourteen companies we have sent yesterday. Fifteen more companies were sent today," Union Home Secretary R K Singh told reporters in Delhi.

During the day, DGP J N Choudhury reviewed the situation. Miscreants pelted stones and attacked the Guwahati-bound Rajdhani Express at Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar damaging four coaches though there was no injury. The train was turned back and was halted at Kamakhyaguri station bordering West Bengal with the authorities considering to take it to Coochbehar.

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