Attack toll rises to 36, curfew relaxed in BTAD districts

Human Rights commission issues notice to the State to conduct an inquiry into the alleged involvement of six forest personnel

Guwahati : Two more bodies were found in violence-hit districts of Assam, taking the toll in the mayhem unleashed by ultras to 36, even as the curfew clamped in the area was relaxed on Tuesday as no fresh violence was reported from anywhere. Police said the body of a seven-year-old girl was fished out from Beki River near Barpeta Road last night while the body of a 35-year-old woman was found at Baksa.

There was no bullet wound on the bodies and it was suspected that they had died while attempting to flee during the attacks by NDFB(S) on Thursday last, police said. Efforts are being made to trace 15 missing persons with the help of Central Armed Police Forces and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also being deployed to augment the search and rescue efforts of the state government. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Assam government today claimed that firm actions taken following the terrorist attacks in BTAD areas have resulted in considerable improvement in the law and order situation in the districts.

There was no report of involuntary migration or relocation of people from the affected districts, the statement claimed. Army requisitioned in the districts to help improvement of law and order has been de-requisitioned to carry out Counter Insurgency Operations and recovery of illegal weapons, it said, adding, the army would, however, continue to be in stand by mode for quick redeployment.

NIA Additional Director General N R Wasan arrived in Guwahati today and met Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla to discuss modalities for taking over the investigation of selected cases of the violence in BTAD.

The Group of Ministers, constituted during the 2012 violence in the state, is overseeing relief and rehabilitation efforts. It had recommended payment of Rs 22,000 per family to those whose houses have been fully burnt/damaged, clothing grant of Rs 2,000 per family and utensils of Rs 2,000 per family, besides three bundles of tin roof sheets per family. The Assam Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the Assam government to conduct an inquiry into the alleged involvement of six forest personnel in the attacks.       –PTI