The Hindu : National : Give free ration to riot-hit, Assam told

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Give free ration to riot-hit, Assam told

Special Correspondent

Relief camp inmates demand adequate security
Gogoi asks officials to identify areas for police outposts

Guwahati: The Centre has suggested to the Assam government that it provide a month’s free ration to every riot-hit family of Udalguri and Darrang districts on their return home from relief camps.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed made this suggestion during a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi after a visit to the two districts on Wednesday and meeting relief camp inmates.

Till Thursday, 2.12 lakh Bodos and immigrant Muslim settlers have taken shelter in relief camps in the two violence-hit districts. The clashes, which started on October 3, have left 55 dead and over 100 injured. However, there has been no report of fresh clashes in the two districts during the last three days.

Mr. Gogoi on Thursday promised the camp inmates full assistance for their rehabilitation, including rebuilding houses destroyed during the clashes and compensation for the loss of livestock and other properties. Mr Gogoi, who visited the two districts, assured them utensils, mosquito nets and clothes.

The Chief Minister visited three relief camps — a Bodo relief camp at Bhakatpara in Udalguri district, a relief camp of immigrant Muslim settler at Besimari in Darrang district and a camp sheltering mixed communities at Routa Chariali in Udalguri district — to take stock of relief measures.

The inmates told Mr Gogoi that they felt insecure and were afraid to return home unless adequate security measures were in place. They requested the Chief Minister to set up police pickets and outposts in their villages. A number of camp inmates told Mr. Gogoi that they wanted to go back to their villages for harvesting paddy but were afraid.

Later, at a review meeting held at the Mangaldai Circuit House, the Chief Minister stressed the need for undertaking confidence building measure. He asked the administration of both the districts to draw up action plans for foolproof security and identify areas where police outpost or a police picket was required. He also ordered adequate security for the relief camps. He emphasised the need for activating village defence parties and forming peace committees as part of confidence building steps.

On Wednesday, Mehmood Madani, all-India general secretary of Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind, after visiting riot hit areas, called for resolution of the conflict through peace meetings of community leaders.

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