Army on alert in Assam, says govt amid Oppn attack in Parliament

As violence erupted again in Assam, government today said it had kept the Army on alert to deal with any situation and talked about CBI probe into the riots, as opposition slammed it in Parliament accusing it of failing to tackle the issue.

As violence erupted again in Assam, government today said it had kept the Army on alert to deal with any situation and talked about CBI probe into the riots, as opposition slammed it in Parliament accusing it of failing to tackle the issue.

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On the opening day of the monsoon session, the issue of month-long violence in Assam that has claimed 74 lives, was taken up for discussion in both House of Parliament during which the government came under sharp attack.

In the Lok Sabha, government business was suspended to take up the issue through an Adjournment Motion moved by BJP leader LK Advani, which was negatived by a voice vote after a five-hour debate.

Replying to the Motion, home minister Sushilkumar Shinde gave details of the violent incidents, saying it started after an attack by KLO terrorists in which two Muslims were killed.

Enlisting the steps taken by the Centre and the state government, he said Army has been kept on alert. "If the situation arises, I have kept the Army on alert," he said, making it clear that the government will not hesitate in taking any necessary action.

"Army should go and bring results in areas which are actually affected," Shinde said, in his first reply as home minister after being given the crucial portfolio last week.

He also informed the Lok Sabha that an Additional Director of the CBI will visit Guwahati tomorrow following a request from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to investigate the cases of Assam violence. The CBI official will go along with Joint Secretary (Northeast) in the Home Ministry.

"Government's mind is very clear. Government's heart is very clear and we will like a peaceful situation," he said.

Advani, who initiated the debate saying it was the Centre's direct failure that the situation in Assam had reached such a pass, expressed dissatisfaction with Shinde's reply.