Assam Government has directed the Additional Chief Secretary Mr. P.P. Verma to submit a report on the outbreak of cholera epidemic in Sonitpur district. The disease has claimed over 20 lives and affected more than 150 over the last few days. Mr Verma has been asked to visit the affected areas for an on-the-spot assessment and submit the report soon. AIR correspondent reports that most of the affected persons are tea garden labourers along Assam-Arunachal boundary. The Government has also instructed the Health Department to take appropriate measures for treatment of cholera patients and sanitization of the areas affected by the disease in and around Biswanath Chariali in Sonitur District. Sources said lack of pure drinking water and poor sanitary conditions were the main reasons behind the outbreak of cholera in the tea garden areas.