Sonowal asks police to be on alert ahead of I-Day

The Assam government will deal with the militants involved in Friday's the attack very sternly, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said and directed the state police to be on high alert in view of upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

Sonowal has asked Assam DGP Mukesh Sahai to put all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) across the state on high alert.

Sonowal also warned that the militants involved in the attack in Kokrajhar that left 13 people dead will be dealt with very sternly.

He directed the police chief to beef up security and to launch a vigorous drive to apprehend those behind the killing. He asked the DGP to instill a sense of security among the people and to ensure that peace prevails in Kokrajhar.

"We will not tolerate any threat from any group. The government will not bow to any pressure while tackling terrorist groups," Sonowal said on Friday.

Assam DGP Mukesh Sahai went to Kokrajhar along with DG Special (law and order) R.M. Singh to take stock of the situation.

The Chief Minister asked Minister for Health & Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma to visit the site of the incident.

He asked the district administration of Kokrajhar to ensure that the injured persons get proper free treatment and to shift the seriously injured to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital for immediate treatment.

A medical team from Guwahati was sent to Kokrajhar for proper care and treatment of the injured.

The Chief Minister also announced ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the next kin of those killed in the attack on Friday.

--IANS

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