Gogoi assures rehab of communal clash victims

Guwahati, Oct 22 (UNI) With its Bodoland People's Front (BPF) ally threatening to pull the rug over communal clashes in northern Assam, the Congress government today tried to pacify Hagrama Mohilary and party by announcing a slew of rehabilatation measures for the clash victims.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today met BPF chief Mr Mohilary and assured of all relief and rehabilitation measures, with the state government also demanding a CBI enquiry into the clashes. Mr Mohilary had met the Chief Minister today over relief and rehabilitation of the clash victims in Udalguri and Darrang districts, state government spokesperson and cabinet minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma informed.

It was decided to extend ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the next of the kin of those killed in the violence, with state government providing Rs three lakh and the Bodoland Territorial Council and Centre Rs one lakh each.

A Cabinet sub-committee, with senior minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman as chairman, was also formed for rehabilitation of the homeless and it would submit its first report within 10 days.

The BTC had demanded Rs 2.5 lakh for each uprooted family. The sub-committee will study it and report, Dr Sharma said.

At least 49 people were killed and thousands rendered homeless in the clashes between tribal Bodos and immigrant Muslims in Darrang and Udalguri districts in the first week of this month.

On the BPF's demand for further inquiry into rape allegations by two Bodo women against CRPF jawans, Dr Sharma said the Chief Minister has instructed the Chief Secretary to get in touch with the AIIMS and arrange for a re-evaluation of the women.

A medical examination in Mangaldai had claimed that the women had not been raped, though the latter have already filed case against CRPF jawans on molestation charges.

'' The government is not ready to give clean chit to anyone on this issue and we are going for a thorough probe,'' the minister said.

A section of BPF leaders had threatened of quitting the government if proper relief was not provided in the effected areas, though the chief Mr Mohilary dismissed any such possibility.

UNI SG KK KLC1810