In Assam, the death toll has gone up to 28 in recent violence in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts. IGP, L R Bishnoi said that 8 more bodies were recovered today in Baksa district. He said that 14 miscreants in Baksa and 8 in Kokrajhar district have been arrested so far for their involvement in the violence. Bishnoi said that most of them are linkmen of the banned outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Sangbijit group). He said that strict vigil is on but ruled out imposition of shoot at sight order in violence-hit areas.

Additional DGP, A P Rout said that situation is improving in Kokrajhar district. Meanwhile, indefinite curfew is on in Kokrajhar, Baksa and Chirang district as a precautionary measure. Curfew has also been imposed at the adjoining areas of violence-hit districts. Hundreds of trucks and buses have been stranded at national highways. The Army is staging flag march.

The Special Investigation Team, SIT, is likely to begin their investigation this afternoon. The Assam Border Area Development Minister Siddique Ahmed has today demanded arrest of former minister and senior MLA of Bodoland People’s Front, Pramila Rani Brahma for allegedly making inflammatory remarks recently. Relief camp has been set up in Baksa district. Assam Governor J B Patnaik has condemned the violence and appealed all to maintain peace and order.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Office sources said National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon this morning briefed the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh about the Assam situation. Dr Singh held discussions with the Cabinet Secretary and directed him to extend all help to the State government to ensure peace.