Gogoi announces rehab panel, special force to seize illegal arms

, May 8: Assam Chief Minister

on Thursday announced setting up of a permanent commission to deal with the

of the riot

and a special force to seize illegal arms and ammunition across the state.

Interacting with media persons here, he said said the decisions were taken after visiting the violence-affected areas of Kokrajhar and Baksa districts in Assam's Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD), where anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) had targeted innocent civilians since last week.

Gogoi said that the number of death in the violence rose up to 39 after recovery of bodies in an operation by the disaster rescue force. He also said that another 10 people have remained missing in the affected areas.

"There are three-month-old children among the deceased. It is very pathetic and inhuman. We have decided to create a special commission which would look after all the riot-related issues in the state. This is going to be a permanent commission," he said.

"Further we are also going to create a special force to seize illegal arms and ammunition in the BTAD and other areas of the state. Although there had been continuous operation against the illegal arms since the 2012 riots, a special force will be helpful in this regard," said Gogoi.

The chief minister also announced setting up of police stations and outposts in interior areas.

"The areas where the violence took place last week are very remote. It takes more than four to five hours for the police force to reach there. These areas needs to be covered with police stations and outposts," he said adding that stress will be given in covering hills and forested areas under police stations and outposts.

The chief minister, however, said that unlike the 2012 riots, there is no displacement this time. He, however, admitted that there are several women and children among those killed by the militants.

He also refuted the allegations that the violence was the result of the failure of the state home department, which he holds charge of.

"In 2001, there were 412 civilian killings in Assam. However, the law and order situation has improved and last year, only 46 civilians were killed across the state. This indicates that the home department has not failed," said Gogoi.

IANS