No radical group involved in Assam violence: ABMSU

Guwahati, Aug 4: The All Bodoland Minority Students' Union (ABMSU) today denied that a newly formed unit was involved in the recent clashes in parts of lower Assam, saying there was no evidence about it.

"The charges made by one senior ex Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) member that a newly formed outfit United Muslim National Army was involved the clashes is totally false. There is no evidence of the existence of any outfit like UMNA," ABMSU general secretary Mujib Ali Ahmed told reporters here.

"Many allegations and counter-allegations have been made by various outfits. However, nobody has provided any substantiation," Ahmed said.

The ABMSU leader said refugee camps were facing shortage of essential items despite assurances by the administration. On the government's deadline for August 15 for return of all refugees, he said.

"The state government has announced the deadline. We urge the government to ensure safety so that such incidents do not recur," Ahmed said.

He said that the Rs 30,000 announced by the government for those who lost their homes should be increased to Rs 50,000. He also claimed that non-Bodo communities were not getting their constitutional rights in the Bodoland Territorial Council areas.

PTI