Rijiju to visit Assam, Nagaland over border row

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said Wednesday that he will meet the chief ministers of Assam and Nagaland and other senior officials over a violent border row on the Assam-Nagaland border in Golaghat district.

"I will meet chief ministers of Assam and Nagaland, chief secretaries and senior police officials tomorrow (Thursday)," Rijiju told reporters here.

The violence in Assam's Golaghat district erupted about a week ago. Violence erupted after armed groups from Nagaland allegedly attacked villagers in Assam, leading to several deaths and also rendered thousand homeless.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has blamed the central government for not taking the situation seriously.

Refuting Gogoi's charges, Rijiju said: "Gogoi cannot blame us. It is a very irresponsible statement from the chief minister."

"The centre has already said border dispute can only be solved after negotiations between two states. The government at the centre can only assist during the talk."