34,412 persons diplaced in ethnic clash
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Shillong/Guwahati, January 11 2011:
The ethnic clashes between Garo and Rabha tribal people in areas straddling the Assam-Meghalaya border have displaced 34,412 persons, 18,085 from Meghalaya.
These people are staying in 37 relief camps the Assam government has set up in western Assam.
"The official death toll is nine, five on the Assam side and four on the Meghalaya said," Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said, adding 120 people injured in the clashes were undergoing treatment in government hospitals.
"We have set up a joint monitoring cell with the Meghalaya government.
We have also set up a special investigating team, whose role now is to restore peace and go into the reasons behind the clashes later.
However, we are trying to find out of Meghalaya-based militant outfits are involved," the Assam chief minister said.
It is worth noting that few days ago Meghalaya chief minister, Dr Mukul Sangma had asked Union Defence Minister A K Antony to deploy army in the affected areas to help in controlling the situation in the ethnic-violence hit Assam-Meghalaya border areas.
Sangma also informed that he had also apprised the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on the situation in the ethnic-violence hit Assam-Meghalaya border areas and stressed on the need for strengthening the presence of security forces.
He said exercise is being done involving social activists, church leaders, politicians to spread the message of peace.
According to him reports of exodus from both sides are pouring in and over 5,000 affected people are being sheltered in the relief camps.