Shivraj Patil reviews law and order in Asom

Guwahati, May 8 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today reviewed the law and order situation in Asom at a meeting here and accorded top priority to tackling insurgency in the state.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, DGP of Assam Police, Chief Secretary and top security and administration officials.

Intelligence inputs suggesting regrouping of ULFA cadres and extension of their areas of operation have added to the importance of the meeting in this volatile northeastern state.

A recent Home Ministry report said Asom had witnessed 156 insurgency-related incidents from January to March this year, and a majority were carried out by ULFA. During the same period last year, the number of incidents was only 85.

Moreover, 99 civilians had been killed in the state from January to March this year, as against 31 in the corresponding period last year.

Mr Patil would be leaving for New Delhi tomorrow after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh files his nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls from the state.

The Union Minister is also acting as a central poll observer for the Congress party for the biennial elections for the Upper House of Parliament. The other observer is senior party leader Motilal Vora, who also accompanied Mr Patil.

UNI