Government not to give firearms to violence-hit people: Tarun Gogoi

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today dismissed media reports that the state government would provide firearms to the violence-hit people in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts ( BTAD)areas and said security cover in vulnerable areas would be increased.

The state government has not taken any decision as reported in a section of media that the government would issue firearms to violence affected people in BTAD area, Gogoi said in a statement here.

The government would provide security cover to the people in vulnerable areas by increasing the number of police pickets and outposts, strengthening of Village Defence Party, formation of peace committees and by taking up other security measures, he said.

The recent violence in Kokrajhar and Baksa districts of BTAD area has so far claimed 34 lives and forced thousands of others to flee homes.

The bandh, which began at 5 AM, has affected normal life in Nagaon district where banks, post offices and some educational institutions remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin, the sources said.

Business establishments and shops, specially those owned by minority, put their shutters down during the bandh.

Vehicles mostly remained off the roads though a few long distance buses operated, while trains plied as usual, the sources added.