The army was deployed in Assam three days after a request was made by the state government, defence minister AK Antony told Rajya Sabha on Monday. Antony said the first fax message seeking army deployment was received on July 21 (Saturday), followed by another on July 24. He said the ministry had sought the army’s assessment of the situation in Assam as the force was carrying out counter-insurgency duties in the state.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs on July 24 requested for the deployment of army in the districts of Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Chirang. The defence ministry issued directions for the deployment of army in aid to civil authorities the same day,” he said. He was replying to whether the Centre took a long time to send reinforcement in trouble-torn areas of Assam.

Thirty-seven Army columns have been deployed in Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Chiranguri, Baksa, Kamrup, Nalbari, Hailakandi, Cachar, Karimganj and Sonitpur districts.