Red alert in Bihar, delegation leaves for Asom

Patna, Jan 6 (UNI) Bihar government today sounded a red alert and sent a delegation of ministers to Asom to assess the security arrangements of Biharis residing there in the wake of yesterday's carnage of more than 40 people, mostly Biharis, triggered by ULFA militants.

The government had announced an ex gratia of Rs one lakh to kins of each victim of the carnage, hailing from Bihar.

Disclosing the government's decision at a press conference here, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed concern over making the Bihari populace in Asom the soft target of ULFA militants during the last two years and condemned the carnage.

''I talked to Asom Chief Minister Mr Tarun Gogoi today over telephone to express my deep concern over the incident in the state killing Biharis living there. He had assured me to take necessary steps in providing security to them,'' Mr Kumar said.

To check possible reprisals in the state, steps had been taken to provide security to train passengers to and from Asom passing through Bihar.

UNI