Chidambaram to visit violence hit areas of Assam today

Guwahati:  Home Minister P Chidambaram will take stock of the situation in violence-hit Assam in his two-day visit beginning Monday. Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tried to negate a Centre-Assam disconnect while promising a probe into the cause of western Assam’s ethnic riots that killed 53 people and displaced 400,000 since July 20.
“We must restore peace and calm throughout the area. We are giving Rs 100 crore to the Assam government for relief and rehabilitation of those affected. We are also giving Rs 100 crore as special planned assistance for the development of the affected areas. Another Rs 100 crore will be given under Indira Awas Yojana for repairing the damaged houses,” Singh said.

“We must also address the causes of the conflict. The guilty must be punished. The Central government will also work closely with the state government to ensure security of those affected so that they can progress to their houses,” the PM said.

“I also announce PMNRF Rs 2 lakh to the family of each person who lost his or her life. Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured. Rs 30, 000 to the partially damaged houses,” he said.

Dr Singh said the clashes in Assam are a blot on the face of the country. On day one of his visit he went to two relief camps in Korajhar. Speaking to reporters he said, “Yes, a proper enquiry will be held into the tragic circumstances…we will address the causes of the conflict. If it is instigated, the guilty will be punished. We have also directed the state government to provide security to the affected people so that they can go back home.”