Deal acts of terror with firm hand: President Pranab Mukherjee on Assam attacks

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee today strongly condemned attack by militants in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur districts of Assam and said such acts of terror and violence must be put down with a "firm hand".

In his message to Assam Governor P B Acharya, the President said, "I am extremely saddened to learn about the cowardly attack by Bodo militants on the villagers in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur district of Assam in which a number of persons lost their lives and some others sustained injuries".

He said he strongly condemns the killings. "Such acts of terror and violence must be put down with a firm hand. I call upon authorities concerned to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice at the earliest. I urge the State Government to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured," he said.

Mukherjee said, "In this moment of grief, please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I also wish speedy recovery to the injured persons".