Week on, Gogoi mulls CBI probe

Exactly a week after clashes and militant attacks left over 50 dead in this industrial district of Upper Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi p...

Exactly a week after clashes and militant attacks left over 50 dead in this industrial district of Upper Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi paid his first visit today amid protest slogans by relief camp inmates at Doomdooma.

He also told mediapersons that he was considering a CBI probe into the incidents ‘‘because most people are demanding it.’’

‘‘The situation has definitely improved and I have instructed the district authorities to identify the miscreants and killers,’’ he said after visiting three relief camps at Duliajan, Doomdooma and Tinsukia and meeting delegations of various organisations.

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At a relief camp at Doomdooma, about 30 kilometres from here, the inmates complained that all that the government was offering was lip service and that the government hadn’t done anything noteworthy to improve the situation.

Some inmates also raised slogans against the Chief Minister so much so that his security cut his visit short. They also complained about lack of basic amenities.

However, APCC chief and local MP Paban Singh Ghatowar claimed that the VHP had forced some of its members into the Doomdooma camp before Gogoi’s arrival. ‘‘Some groups are trying to foment further trouble,’’ he said.

On the other hand, in Tinsukia, a delegation of the Joint Coordination Committee of Citizens floated by the AASU complained that the Chief Minister did not even bother to listen to them when they met him. ‘‘This is a committee which has representatives of as many as 17 groups. We have brought out peace processions and constituted peace committees to help improve the situation. But the Chief Minister simply did not listen to what we had to say,’’ said Bimal Neog, convenor of the committee.

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Meanwhile, the Tinsukia Brick Kiln Owners’ Association has sought security for the kilns.

	Violence spreads to another district, toll rises to 59

			GUWAHATI: Violence spread to Darrang district in Assam with suspected National Democratic Front of Bodoland militants gunning down three Biharis and police recovering as many bodies of Biharis from Tinsukia, taking the toll in the violence to 59. Armed ultras swooped on Khanglabari area in Darrang around 9.30 pm last night and opened fire indiscriminately killing three Biharis on the spot, Home Commissioner K.D. Tripathy said. Nine Biharis, including women and children, were injured in the firing, he said, adding the attackers set nine houses afire and fled. Meanwhile, police recovered three more bodies of Biharis from Ajukhochapuri, 30 km from Tinsukia. They had been missing from Dhola since November 21 and had reportedly been kidnapped. (Agencies)

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