11,000 personnel for Assam; plane with relief sent

The Centre has authorised the Assam government to deploy more than 11,000 paramilitary personnel in the state's violence-hit districts and dispatched a C-135 heavy lift aircraft with medical teams and supplies.

So far 7,300 personnel of paramilitary forces have been deployed in strife-torn Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts after moving them from other states in the wake of clashes between Bodos and minority immigrants there.

In addition, the state has been authorised to use 11,600 men of paramilitary forces to bring back normalcy in the worst affected areas.

Home Secretary R K Singh said teams of the National Disaster Relief Force along with experts in drinking water and sanitation issues have been rushed to the affected areas in the same aircraft.

Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth reviewed with Assam Chief Secretary Naba Kumar Das during a videoconference last evening the relief and medical arrangements for the victims of one of the worst ethnic violence witnessed in recent times in lower Assam districts. The meeting was attended by senior officers of the all concerned ministries and departments.

"Two teams comprising physician, gynaecologist, paediatrician, public health specialists, resident doctors and nurses have been airlifted from Delhi at 5.15 pm on Friday," an official spokesperson said.