Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today took stock of the situation in Assam, where ethnic clashes have taken place. A spokesperson in the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi said that the PM asked Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to do everything possible to control the situation and take effective steps for relief and rehabilitation of the affected. The spokesman said that the chief minister informed the Prime Minister about the steps taken by the Government in the localities, where clashes took place.

State Home Secretary told AIR correspondent that five persons were killed today in police firing. He said the total number of killed in the violence had risen to 32 with reports of deaths of some more persons coming late.

Over 70,000 people are housed in the relief camps. The State Government has issued shoot at sight orders to effectively deal with the situation. Curfew has been clamped in Dhubri and Bilasipara sub divisions of Bilasipara district since yesterday.

Home Secretary RK Singh has assured the Assam Government that the Centre would help maintain law and order in the state. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, he said he was in constant touch with forces and lawmakers in the state. The Home Secretary said he had also spoken to the leaders of Bodos and Minorities in the state. He said 29 companies of paramilitary forces had been rushed sent to Assam.