Assam violence: More people injured in overnight clashes, death toll rises to 41

Guwahati:  Fear and uncertainty continues to grip Assam with more people being injured in overnight firing. Seven days of ethnic clashes have claimed 41 lives and have left nearly two lakh villagers homeless.

There have been fresh clashes and cases of arson and more people have been injured in ethnic clashes between minority Bangladeshi immigrants and Bodos. At least three people were injured in firing in Baksa district late last night.

1. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is scheduled to visit Kokrajhar today.  The Centre has asked the Assam government to catch the "ring leaders" who instigated violence in the state.
2. 13 columns of the Army have been deployed in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon. Idefinite curfew and shoot-at-sight orders are also in place in these four districts that are most affected by the violence.
3. The exodus of people from villages affected by the clashes continues. They are taking shelter at about 120 relief camps set up by the government.
4. Entire villages have emptied out after houses were burnt down. Buses, cars and schools were set afire too. In the last seven days since clashes began, nearly two lakh people have had to flee their homes. Over 10,000 people have reportedly escaped to neighbouring West Bengal.
5. The Army yesterday mobilised about 1000 troops to enforce peace in the areas. "The troops are also carrying out flag marches in these areas," officials said.
6. Trains were also targeted in the clashes and the entire North-East was cut off by rail for the last two days. But special trains will run today to help stranded passengers. The Army is helping to ensure that the tracks are clear. Union Home Secretary RK Singh said that 2,000 Central security personnel have been deputed to guard Guwahati-bound trains and railway tracks.
7. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi held a meeting of government officials in Guwahati yesterday to take stock of the situation. Assam's police chief J N Choudhury visited the violence-hit districts and met top security officers.
8. The situation had been tense since early July when two migrants were killed. Two more were killed on July 19, but police failed to identify the killers. On Friday last (July 20), four former Bodo Liberation Tigers men were killed. The Bodos retaliated by attacking migrants.
9. The BJP has alleged that illegal immigration from Bangladesh was responsible for ethnic and communal discord and has asked the government to seal the border with the neighbouring country.