Deploy army in Asom to prevent exodus of migrants: Paswan

New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) Describing the situation in Asom as ''dreadful,'' Lok Janshakti Party president and union minister Ram Vilas Paswan today demanded that army be deployed in the violence affected districts of the Upper Asom.

Mr Paswan, who visited the victims of ULFA serial attacks in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Golaghat and Dhemaji districts of the state, told newspersons here he would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and submit a memorandum demanding the Centre take steps to infuse a sense of security among the people.

Strongly condemning the violence, Mr Paswan said the government should not hold talks with ULFA in view of their brutal attacks. He said ULFA has indulged in these acts of terrorism due to frustration as it has lost popular support. ULFA tried to get publicity by attacking innocent people, he added.

Though giving a clean chit to the Central and the state government in checking ULFA attacks, Mr Paswan said the local administration was lacking in providing protection to the people in districts like Tinsukia. He suggested that instead of local bureaucrats, people from other states be appointed in the violence affected districts so that they could take stringent measures against ULFA.

Lauding the steps taken by Defence Minister A K Antony in the state, he said that flag marches by army should be held in the affected districts so that people could feel secure and exodus of Biharis from Asom could be stopped.

He urged the people of Bihar and Asom not to indulge in any untoward act which may created problems among Assamese and non-Assamese.

Justifying the earlier government decision regarding ceasefire with ULFA, he said it was done in a democratic manner but the insurgent group utilised the time to recoup itself and indulge in such violent acts.

However, he criticised the opposition NDA by speaking in two languages on this issue. While some NDA leaders are visiting the state and expressing sympathy with the victims, others (Mr George Fernandes) is meeting ULFA leaders in jail and clarifying their stand, he said.

UNI