In Meghalaya, Home ministry team, led by Joint secretary Shambu Singh, today visited the ethnic-violence-hit areas in the Resubelpara sub-division of East Garo Hills. He said the clashes appeared to be “well-planned” and did not rule out the hand of “underground groups.” Mr. Singh said the Centre was considering sending more paramilitary forces after holding joint talks with officials of East Garo Hills and Goalpara administration of Assam. Around 50,000 people have been displaced in the clashes between Garo and Rabha groups that began on 1st January and efforts would be made to rehabilitate them at the earliest. East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said following the arson attacks on the Garo dominated villages in Assam yesterday, a mob frenzy began to build up and Gendabari Rabha village on the Meghalaya side was set ablaze during the day. Security forces moved in swiftly and cut off all entry and exit routes between the two districts to prevent any escalation of violence. In view of the incidents, curfew remained clamped at Resbulpara subdivision of East Garo Hills. Meanwhile, four militants belonging to Rabha Security Force were apprehended by BSF from Balmuri village in East Garo Hills during a search operation, Mr. Bakshi said.

In Meghalaya, Home ministry team, led by Joint secretary Shambu Singh, today visited the ethnic-violence-hit areas in the Resubelpara sub-division of East Garo Hills. He said the clashes appeared to be “well-planned” and did not rule out the hand of “underground groups.” Mr. Singh said the Centre was considering sending more paramilitary forces after holding joint talks with officials of East Garo Hills and Goalpara administration of Assam. Around 50,000 people have been displaced in the clashes between Garo and Rabha groups that began on 1st January and efforts would be made to rehabilitate them at the earliest. East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said following the arson attacks on the Garo dominated villages in Assam yesterday, a mob frenzy began to build up and Gendabari Rabha village on the Meghalaya side was set ablaze during the day. Security forces moved in swiftly and cut off all entry and exit routes between the two districts to prevent any escalation of violence. In view of the incidents, curfew remained clamped at Resbulpara subdivision of East Garo Hills. Meanwhile, four militants belonging to Rabha Security Force were apprehended by BSF from Balmuri village in East Garo Hills during a search operation, Mr. Bakshi said.