CM reviews security as separate states movements’ suspended for Eid

Guwahati, Aug 7: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today reviewed the security scenario in the state, as separate states demand movements gripped Assam for a week even as the agitators eased their programmes in view of Eid celebrations and appeal from the government for restraint.
Gogoi huddled in a discussion on the prevailing situation in the state with top security and administrative brass at his official residence here.
Assam Police spokesperson S N Singh, speaking to the media said, the general situation was reviewed.
He said additional central forces will be sought if the situation demands.
Fifteen companies of additional central forces had been sent to the state following the outbreak of the separate states agitations.
Singh said the Chief Minister has directed for special vigil ahead of Independence Day celebration even as extra security measures are already in place.
The Chief Minister also held an hour-long meeting with a 10-member delegation led by AKRSU president Biswajit Ray and general secretary Pradip Ray and appealed to the organisation to suspend and call off their agitational programmes for the normalcy to return.
On the various demands of the organisation, the Chief Minister assured the All Koch-Rajbonshi Students Union (AKRSU), leading the Kamatapur movement, leaders that the government would look into it.
Gogoi said his government would facilitate talks between the AKRSU, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.
However, another faction of the AKRSU burnt effigies of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister at Bongaigaon, demanding direct talks with the Prime Minister.
He will also meet the Bodo leadership later this evening.
The Bodo organisations had announced of suspending their agitations till after Eid so as not to disrupt the festivities.
A 1500-hour bandh called by a Bodo group in support of a separate state was also called off from this morning.
However, the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and other groups have declared of launching a 1000-hour economic blockade after Eid if the government fails to convince them on their demands.
The Bodo-dominated areas today returned to normal life after successive days of bandhs and blockades since last Thursday.
Normalcy was also returning to Karbi Anglong district, the Centre of an autonomous state demand movement, comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
No incidents of violence or arson were reported in the district in the last two days.
Curfew was relaxed in headquarter town of Diphu for 12 hours from 0600 hours this morning and at Dongkamukam for six hours from 1000 hours today. (UNI)