Assam violence: Govt says Army on alert; Oppn attacks in Par

New Delhi, Aug 9: With

erupting again in

, government on Aug 8 said it has kept the Army on alert to deal with any situation as opposition today slammed it in Parliament accusing it of failing to control the riots.

The issue of month-long violence in Assam, that has claimed 74 lives, was taken up for discussion in both House of Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon Session.

In the Lok Sabha, government business was suspended to take up the issue through an Adjournment Motion moved by BJP leader LK Advani, which was negatived by a voice vote after a five-hour debate.

Replying to the Motion, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde gave details of the violent incidents, saying it started after an attack by KLO terrorists in which two Muslims were killed.

Enlisting the steps taken by the Centre and the state government, he said Army has been kept on alert. "If the situation arises, I have kept the Army on alert," he said, making it clear that the government will not hesitate in taking any necessary action.

"Army should go and bring results in areas which are actually affected," Shinde said, in his first reply as Home Minister after being given the crucial portfolio last week. He also informed the Lok Sabha that an Additional Director of the CBI will visit Guwahati on Aug 9 following a request from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to investigate the cases of Assam violence.

The CBI official will go along with Joint Secretary (Northeast) in the Home Ministry. "Government's mind is very clear. Government's heart is very clear and we will like a peaceful situation," he said. Advani, who initiated the debate saying it was the Centre's direct failure that the situation in Assam had reached such a pass, expressed dissatisfaction with Shinde's reply.

PTI