NEW DELHI, Nov 10 � Shaken by the sudden spurt in violence in Assam, Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram is likely to visit the State this weekend to take stock of the internal security situation.
The killing of innocent civilians by outlawed NDFB (anti-talk faction) has sent alarm bells ringing at the Centre. The issue cropped up at a meeting of the Congress party�s strategy session at the Parliament this morning, while a delegation of AGP MPs called on the Union Home Minister at his North Block office later in the afternoon.
According to sources a Congress party�s strategy session held this morning and chaired by Congress president, Sonia Gandhi discussed the issue, when the Union Home Minister announced his decision to fly down to the State on a stock taking mission, sources who attended the meeting told this newspaper.
Chidambaram, claimed sources expressed his serious concern at the developments in the State before the senior leaders of the Party. The Congress Party was wary over the possibility of BJP raking up the issue in the House. Yesterday, AGP MP Joseph Toppo raised the issue through a Zero Hour mention in the Lok Sabha.
Later, when the AGP delegation led by Biren Baishya and comprising Kumar Deepak Das and Joseph Toppo met Chidambaram and sought his intervention, he conveyed his decision to visit the State possibly this Sunday.
The delegation alleged that the State Government remained a mute spectator despite a warning by the rebels about an impending attack. On November 1, NDFB militant B Jwngkhang had threatened to kill �20 Indians� in retaliation, if one NDFB cadres was killed.
The Government of Assam did not take any action even after knowing about the NDFB threats. �We condemn the incidents and State Government�s negligence and the failure to save the lives of the people,� a note submitted to the Home Minister, said.
The AGP delegation demanded restoration of peace and protection of the people of the area.
Later, talking to newsmen, Baishya said Chidambaram was very upset with the killing, observing that it was unacceptable. Chidambaram further said he is in touch with Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, DGP, Shankar Barua and addl DGP Khagen Sarma.
Meanwhile, BJP today linked the killing with US President Barack Obama�s India visit. Last time, when US President Bill Clinton visited India, 20 Sikhs were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. This year 24 persons including Hindi-speaking people were killed in Assam, said BJP spokesman S S Ahluwalia.
What should be taken note of is that the extremists had warned about such a strike ahead of the visit by the US President, claimed Ahluwalia, alleging total failure on part of Congress-ruled Government of India and Assam.
Meanwhile, Toppo had on Tuesday alleged that the State Government has adopted a dual policy while handling the issue. While non-Bodos were being evicted from reserved forest areas of Kokrajhar, Bodos were being given land documents in Batasipur-Hugrajuli areas.
