PM to visit violence-hit Assam

Amid continuing violence in parts of Assam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will undertake a visit to the state on Saturday to take stock of the situation and the steps being taken to control it.

Singh is also expected to review the measures taken by the government for relief and rehabilitation, sources said today.

Lower Assam districts have been witnessing riots for the last six days which has claimed 41 lives and led to dislocation of lakhs of people. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi visited Kokrajhar today to review the situation in the riot-affected areas where tension prevailed.

Kokrajhar district executive magistrate Bipul Saikia was injured in an attack by unidentified assailants and his vehicle damaged while he was on his way to visit a relief camp in Bhotgaon Kanchipara area of the district.

Army and the para-military forces have mobilised thousands of personnel to contain the situation. Indefinite curfew and shoot-at-sight orders were in force in worst-affected Kokrajhar district, while night curfew was on in Chirang and Dhubri district.