NIA will probe Assam attacks: Rajnath Singh

Assures all help to Assam govt; death toll rises to 70

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the violence in Assam.

The violence unleashed by National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) or NDFB(S) militants in Assam spread to new areas, and the death toll rose to 70.  

The Home Minister arrived in Guwahati yesterday evening along with Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram.

He also held a high level meeting with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and senior civil, police, army and paramilitary officials.

Singh assured the Assam government of all help to contain the insurgency.

Gogoi requested the Home Minister not to withdraw additional security forces from the state till the situation is brought under control.

Singh left for Sonitpur in Guwahati this morning and will visit Kokrajhar along with Gogoi and other ministers.

Earlier on Tuesday, banned outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) attacked innocent villagers, following which indefinite curfew was imposed in five police station areas of Sonitpur district.

According to reports, the State Home department has asked all district administrations to remain alert.

The world heritage site, Manas National Park has also been closed for three days in a bid to intensify operations against the militants.