Asom BJP burns effigies of PM, Defence Minister

Guwahati, Aug 12 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party, Asom unit, today burnt Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister Pranav Mukherjee in-effigy near the state secretariat to protest cross-firing at the Indo-Bangladesh border in the state's Cachar district.

Two civilians and five Bangladesh Rifles jawans were killed in the firing on Wednesday night.

The state Revenue Minister, in the recently concluded Budget session, had stated that 499.83 acres of Asom's land was under occupation by Bangladesh.

The BJP demanded immediate steps to check the recurrence such border firing. It also demanded the encroachers be pushed back.

The protestors burnt DrSingh in effigy but had to abandon mid-way while trying to burn that of Mr Mukherjee, due to police intervention.

Senior party leaders, including V Satish, were present during the protest.

UNI SG PC PA VV1843