At least 32 people have been killed in violence unleashed by NDFB-Songbijit militants in Bodoland Territorial Administration Districts (BTADC) area in Assam.
Police have arrested 30 people in connection with the violence in Assam's Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) which has claimed at least 32 lives. "We have arrested 30 persons, 22 in Baksa district and 8 in Kokrajhar," state home commissioner GD Tripathi told India Today.
Six columns of army have been deployed in the region while more forces have been kept on standby. "Night curfew will be clamped not only in the affected districts but also on the border areas of Nalbari and Barpeta districts," added Tripathi.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi accepted responsibility for the massacre in BTAD but dismissed Opposition's claim to step down. "I'm not going to step down. I'm not a coward to flee the battlefield," he said. The state cabinet has decided to hand over the investigation into the killings to National Investigation Agency.
The Centre today made available additional forces to violence-hit Assam as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the "cowardly" terror attack and promised all measures to restore peace there.
Singh, who is keeping a close watch on the situation, spoke to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and directed them to take urgent steps to restore normalcy in the disturbed areas, the PMO said.
Under PM's directions, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth held a review meeting with central and state authorities here.
After the meeting, the PMO said 20 companies (approximately 2000 personnel) of central forces have been made available to the state and additional companies, including Cobra companies, will be sent as required.
Nine army columns have been deployed and patrolling is going on, it said.
Relief camps are being set up by the state government for those affected.
The Centre is standing by to provide food and medicines for the affected families as per the state's requirements.
The Prime Minister expressed "shock and grief" and said "such attacks are cowardly attempts to spread fear and terror among our citizens", the PMO said in a statement.
Urging people to remain calm and ignore rumours, the Prime Minister said the central government and the state government will take all measures to maintain law and order.
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