Assam incident 'an act of crafted terror', says Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday termed the spate of violence in Assam 'an act of crafted terror', confirming that operations will be launched against the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Sangbijit group). The banned outfit had earlier this week attacked tribal villagers in the state, resulting in the deaths of over 70 people.

"Strong action will be taken against the NDFB (S), which massacred over 70 people in Assam on Tuesday. The Centre has zero tolerance policy for such acts and a similar policy will be adopted in this case too," Singh told the media here.

"Operations will definitely be launched against the outfit. The killing by the NDFB (S) is not an ordinary act of violence by a militant outfit, but an act of crafted terror," he added.

Singh further stated that Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram will be visiting the affected areas and will interact with the villagers.

"I have held talks with the state government on issues related to border and area development of the affected areas. Oram, who accompanied me to Assam, will stay in the area, visit the affected villages, talk to the people and submit a report to the Centre soon," he said.

On Tuesday, NDFB (S) militants killed over 70 people in the Sonitpur, Kokrajhar and Chirang districts of Assam, following which Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, on Wednesday held a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and other senior state officials, assuring that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the case thoroughly. The ministers also stated that the Centre will provide Assam with additional companies of security forces.