Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that no talks will be held with National Democratic Front of Bodoland, NDFB (Sangbijit group), which was involved in massacre of over 70 people in Assam on Tuesday. He declared that strong action will be taken against the group, asserting that the Centre has zero tolerance policy for such crafted terror. During his visit to review the situation in the state, he told reporters at Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district this afternoon that the government will take strong measures to deal with the outfit and will control it effectively.
He termed the killings of civilians as an act of terror and not a mere case of insurgency. The Minister said, help of Bhutan and Myanmar would also be taken to wipe out the militant group. He further said that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has talked to the one of the primer of these countries and he assured to extend support. Mr. Singh said the army and other security forces will cordially launch operation against militant groups in Assam.
Replying to a question about operations against the outfit, the Union Minister said, operations will definitely be launched against the outfit. Singh said he held talks with the state government on issues related to border and area development of the affected areas. He also said the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, who accompanied him, will stay in the area, visit the affected villages, talk to the people and submit a report to the Centre soon.
The Home Minister also announced to hold an NIA enquiry into the incident. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the incident very seriously and announced an ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees to the victims’ family. Mr. Singh also appealed people of Assam not to give the incident ethnic colour as some forces are trying to present it . He said terrorist has no caste and religion.
Meanwhile, Additional DGP Pallab Bhattacharya said that death toll has gone up to 76 as more bodies were recovered today. He said that several miscreants involved in violence have been arrested. Curfew continues at violence hit areas but security forces are maintaining a strict vigil. Relief camps have been set up in 4 districts where around 15 thousand people have taken shelter.
