Situation in Assam peaceful, under watch : Govt

New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) The Government today said the situation in the violence-hit areas of Guwahati in Assam is at present peaceful and under close watch.

''A close watch is being kept on the situation. Senior officials of the Home Ministry are in constant touch with the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state,'' Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said in a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha in the wake of violent protests by All Advisai Students Association of Assam (AASAA) on Saturday.

The state government has already announced ex-gratia payment of Rs three lakh to next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 to the seriosuly injured and Rs 10,000 for those who suffered minor injuries. An inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary has also been ordered.

Outlining the incidents that led to the violence, he said all the 242 injured, out of which 10 were serious were admitted to Guwahati Medical College Hospital and Mahendra Mohan Choudhary Civil Hospital. The identity of some of the the deceased is yet to be ascertained.

He said 57 persons have been discharged from the hospital and sent back to their respective districts. ''All steps are being taken to provide free medical treatment,'' he said.

Over 5000 All Assam Adivasi Students Association (AAASA) demonstrators went on the rampage in the Beltola-Dispur area damaging scores of private and public vehicles besides, ransacking and looting shops demanding scheduled tribe status for the adivasis in Assam.

UNI