Assam villagers throng relief camps for safety

Wednesday looked like a much better day for the Assam districts of Udalguri and Darrang which have witnessed large-scale communal violence between indigenous communities and Muslim settlers. However, another decomposed body was recovered during the day, taking the official death toll to 54, even as panic-stricken villagers continued to flee their homes in search of security.

“The number of inmates in relief camps in Darrang district has risen to nearly 1,20,000,” informed Deputy Commissioner Dhrubajyoti Hazarika. The authorities have set up as many as 43 relief camps in Darrang to provide shelter to those affected by riots.

In adjoining Udalguri district, too, the number of people seeking shelter has gone up to nearly 94,000. “The situation, however, is fast coming under control. Six additional magistrates have arrived today to strengthen the administrative machinery,” Udalguri Deputy Commissioner Kamal Mahanta told The Indian Express over telephone. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed visited the strife-torn districts on Wednesday. CM Tarun Gogoi is visiting the districts on Thursday, official sources said.