CHIRANG, Aug 8 � Once the situation improves in the BTAD areas, the Chirang district administration plans to set up post-riot counselling units for schoolchildren, a move which may be replicated in other affected districts as well.
These cells are expected to be set up in the schools located in the respective districts. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the proposed move and assured all help in this regard. �It is a good idea and we will help in the effort,� Sarma, who is camping in the trouble-torn BTAD areas, told this reporter.
Chirang DC Puru Gupta told The Assam Tribune that in any human tragedy, children are the worst sufferers. A standard chart for post-riot counselling will have to drawn up in consultation with the authorities concerned. �Although, the plan has not been finalised as yet, the idea will be to fetch them a better living. It will be to ensure that the ill effects of the clashes that left thousands of children displaced do not linger in their minds,� Gupta pointed out.
At present, the 30 relief camps in Chirang district house over 50,000 inmates, of which over 40 per cent are learnt to be minors. Of them, nearly 9,000 are aged below 12 years. Gupta said that adequate security personnel, including three Army columns, have been deployed in Chirang district.
�Police so far have arrested 60 persons in connection with various incidents of violence. There are 25 fixed pickets in the district,� he added.
