Army mobilises 1,000 troopers for violence hit Assam

The Army on Wednesday mobilised around 1,000 personnel for deployment in four violence hit districts of Assam and has begun conducting flag marches to ensure safety and security of people there.

"Thirteen columns of troops have been mobilised to enforce peace in violence-hit areas of Kokrajhar, Chiranguri, Dhubri and Bongaigaon in Assam. The troops are also carrying out flag marches in these areas," Indian Army officials said.

An estimated two lakh people from these four districts have fled their homes following ethnic violence during last few days.

Over 120 relief camps have been established by the state government in several areas for around 70,000 people who have left their villages in search of a safe place.

These camps are being guarded by central paramilitary force (CPMF) personnel round the clock to ensure the safety of people there.

These 13 columns comprising over 1000 troopers have been equipped with riot control gear to meet all eventualities, the officials said.

"Three columns have been put on reserve to meet any eventuality," they said.

Besides conducting anti-riot drills, army troops are also carrying out regular and routine counter terrorism and counter insurgency (CI/CT) operations in these areas.

"Most of these areas are infested with terrorism and insurgent groups are still active there. We have to ensure that the situation does not escalate there while keeping out CI/CT drills intact," they said.

Round-the-clock curfew with shoot-at-sight orders has been clamped in several areas of Assam after 38 people were reportedly killed in the violence.

Several meetings were being conducted by the state government to assess the situation in these areas and security forces have been asked to remain on high alert.