Assam Minister Siddique blames extremist elements for sectarian attacks

State minister for border areas development in Assam Siddique Ahmed on Saturday said that extremist elements in Bodoland People's Front (BPF) are responsible for the recent violence that killed more than 31 people in the state.

Security forces found the bodies of nine Muslims in Assam on Saturday, raising the death toll to 31 in a spate of attacks by suspected tribal militants as a week-long general election re-kindled ethnic division.

The violence in the tea-growing state stems from friction over migration.

Police said six of the nine Muslims found shot dead were women and children. Security forces rescued three children found hiding in nearby forests close to the border with Bhutan.

Meanwhile, Ahmed said that the violence should not become communal and peace should prevail.

"This is a poll-related violence and should not become communal. But these attacks are being committed on a community. We want to spread the message that such violence should not take place and peace should prevail," said Ahmed.

Bodo People Front (BPF) leader Biswajit Daimary defended his outfit and said that they were nowhere to be blamed.

"A few people have formed new organisations based on castes to incite clashes between communities. This is very unfortunate. Bodo People Front (BPF) is not responsible for all this and it wants them to unite," said Daimary.