MHA team to visit Assam to assess situation in Bodo dominated areas

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) A high level central team would visit Assam on November 16 to review the implementation of ceasefire agreement with Bodo militants and assess the ground situation in the state which had witnessed serial blasts on October 30.

The team of the home ministry during the two-day visit would visit Guwahati and hold discussion with the senior state government officials. It would also visit the border areas dominated by Bodo population to assess the situation at the ground level.

The visit is significant in view of the growing tension after clashes between Bodo militants and Muslim population in Assam and evidence regarding involvement of National Development Front of Bodoland insurgents as foot soldiers in the serial blasts.

The team comprising of Joint Secetary in the Home Ministry in charge of North East region Naveen Verma, Secretary (Border Management) Jarnail Singh and the Registrar General of India would submit its report about the situation to the ministry. On the basis of that report, the Centre would take a decision regarding extending ceasefire with the insurgent group.

The earlier ceasefire agreement would be over in December and the tripartite talks between the Centre, Assam government and NDFB would be held to extend it further, they said. The ceasefire with the insurgent group is since 2003. Originally it was for six months after which is being regularly extended.

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security has decided to extend the ban on NDFB, which was to be over on November 22, for another two years.

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