Act tough to check violence: Centre tells Assam govt

Union Home Secretary R K Singh called up Assam Chief Secretary N K Das and Director General of Police J N Chaudhury and told them that strict action should be taken against anti-social elements and any possibility of social unrest must be nipped in the bud.

Official sources said the central government was worried over some organisations trying to create social tension by calling for bandhs and favoured preventive action against leaders of such outfits.

Violence spread to new areas and other than Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) following two subsequent bandhs -- yesterday and today -- and Centre has taken it very seriously amid apprehension that if the flare up is not contained immediately, the situation may further deteriorate, they said.

Army staged flag marches at various places in BTAD as the AAMSU-sponsored day-long Assam bandh turned violent with government officials and mediapersons attacked leading to imposition of curfew in some areas.

There were sporadic incidents in Tezpur, Barpeta Road, Nagaon, Morigaon, Sibsagar etc. During the day.