Reacting to a reported statement by an Assam minister that people in the area should be given licensed arms by the state government for self defence, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said, "It is one of the most outlandish statements to be made by a responsible person in the government. This means the Assam government has completely failed."
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, however, dismissed media reports that the state government would provide firearms to the violence-hit people and said security in vulnerable areas would be increased.
The recent violence in Kokrajhar and Baksa districts of BTAD area has so far claimed 34 lives and forced thousands of others to flee homes.
