Clashes between minority Bangladeshi immigrants and Bodos in four districts of lower Assam, that began on Friday, July 20, have left nearly 50 people dead and nearly 2 lakh people homeless so far.
These clashes have continued unabated for nearly the whole week. The situation is far from in control, even though CM Gogoi seemed to down play the riots with the claim that "only" three of the state's districts were affected.
The Army on Wednesday mobilized around 1,000 troops to enforce peace in the areas.
Train services, which were completely suspended between Assam and the rest of the country for two days due to the clashes in lower Assam, also resumed on Wednesday.
While Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is under attack for failing to contain the violence, the Congress has formed a coordination committee to monitor the situation.
It is open to speculation what a "committee" is expected to do about the situation.
Things were not any better in relief camps either. A relief camp in Kokrajhar was attacked and a woman shot dead, according to an amateur footage.
The Centre meanwhile, dispatched a C-135 heavy lift aircraft with medical teams and supplies to the violence-hit areas in Assam.
Teams of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) along with experts in drinking water and sanitation issues have been rushed to the affected areas on the same aircraft.
Earlier the Centre had sent reinforcements of paramilitary forces including two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to help the state police bring back normalcy.
According to media reports, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to visit riot-affected Kokrajhar district of Assam on Saturday.
Image: Villagers leave their homes following ethnic clashes in Kokrajhar, India, Tuesday, July 24, 2012. (AP)
Text: Sify News Desk
Images: AP / PTI
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