Opposition parties demand 'ruthless suppression' of NDFB(S)

GUWAHATI: Four opposition parties today demanded "ruthless suppression" of NDFB(S) responsible for carrying out serial attacks on Adivasi villages in Assam, killing scores of tribal settlers.

"We strongly condemn the attacks. There can be some political solution with insurgents. But if they are terrorists, then they should be suppressed ruthlessly," CPI state unit secretary Bhogeswar Dutta said in a press conference.

No left and democratic force in the world can support such an act of terrorism anywhere, he added.

A joint delegation of CPI, AGP, NCP and SP had visited affected places and some relief camps in Sonitpur district on December 24-25.

AGP General Secretary Kamalakanta Kalita alleged that "the government has not provided any food, warm cloths or medicines yet to thousands of affected people."

He said that many people want to return home but are scared as no security has been provided in violence-affected areas.

The parties criticised both the State and Central governments for failing to provide security to the people.

Kalita said an all-party, excluding Congress and BJP, meeting will be held on December 29 to discuss the future course of action.

Nearly 73,000 persons in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Sonitpur and Udalguri districts have taken shelter in 61 relief camps in the wake of the attacks.

Meanwhile, Army is carrying out intensive area domination of the restive areas of Assam where 81 people were killed in the NDFB(S) attacks, retaliatory violence and police firing since Tuesday.