West Bengal would shelter those fleeing the riots in Assam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s attention has been drawn to the violence in the neighbouring state, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.
Stating that many people had crossed over to the state, Banerjee said “We will protect them and care for them. They are our guests.
“I spoke to Prime Minister at the UPA coordination committee meeting,” Banerjee said at the foundation day programme of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad.
The chief minister claimed that she had information that some people were out to foment trouble in the state and warned them against it.
“I warn them not to play with fire. Don’t try to foment riots. I know who are behind the conspiracy,” she said.
The chief minister said that attacks on minorities were condemnable, adding, “Hindus and Muslims are flowers on the same branch and we care for both.
One killed in fresh violence
One person was killed and five others injured in three separate incidents of violence in Assam’s strife-torn Kokrajhar district late last night, police said.
The first incident took place in Phumti Village under Salakati police outpost, but no casualty was reported from there.
In yet another incident, one person was killed and 4 others injured when miscreants opened fire in Pakritola village under Fakira gram, they said, adding that one more person was injured in the third incident that took place in Tupimari under Gossaigaon area of the district.
Miscreants opened fire and set some houses on fire, said L R Bishnoi, IGP, Assam (Law and Order).
Ever since violence erupted in the Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts and Dhubri since July 19, over 80 people have been killed, according to official figures.
Gogoi asks parties to stop making provocative statements
Accusing the BJP and AIUDF of making provocative statements, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today asked all political parties and outfits to refrain from calling bandhs as such actions were inflaming passions in violence-hit areas.
“I am not happy about the way in which BJP and All India United Democratic Front (AIDUF) and some other outfits are conducting themselves. I appeal to them not to make any more provocative statements,” he told reporters here and called upon leaders of the two parties to restrain their cadres.
“Over the past month the state has passed through a difficult phase. This is a critical hour when everybody should exercise restraint,” Gogoi said.
Assam has been severely affected by ‘bandh culture’, he noted, adding yesterday’s state-wide bandh by Bajrang Dal and today’s day-long one by All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) would only complicate the situation.
“This is not a time to call bandhs. Instead of bringing calm, bandhs only increase the temper and also affect the economy. I urge all parties and outfits to refrain from calling bandhs,” he said.
He rued that some parties have failed to keep his request made during the all-party meeting of August 17 to refrain from making political statements for two months over the violence in lower Assam.
Admitting that the state continues to be rocked by sporadic incidents of violence, Gogoi said the army has been given power to seize arms and exuded confidence that results would soon be visible.
—IANS