Violence rages in Assam, 41 killed

Some 41 people have been killed in communal clashes in Assam's Kokrajhar district since Thursday.

The violence began after two members of the All Bodoland Minority Students' Union (ABMSU) were shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

Fresh incidents of arson on Monday even led to shoot-at-sight orders and indefinite curfew in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts.

Nearly 4,000 paramilitary troopers have been rushed to the two violence-hit districts.

The violence between the Bodos, who are tribals, and Muslim immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh have even forced more than 40,000 people to flee their homes in around 400 villages.

Both the groups in the past have repeatedly clashed over control of land and settlements.

On Tuesday night, five villages were reportedly set on fire in Chirang district alone â€" Makhanguri, Goyaripara, Choirabari, Majrabari and Bhaoraguri.

"We have issued shoot-at-sight orders in Kokrajhar district. The night curfew which was on in both the districts had been extended for an indefinite period," Inspector General of Police, Bodoland Territorial Area District, SN Singh told IANS.

"People have abandoned their houses and shifting to relief camps. Some miscreants from both the communities are also taking advantage of the situation and are setting the abandoned houses ablaze," he added.

Meanwhile, train services to and from Northeast were disrupted due to the ongoing violence.

"The Northeast remained cut off from the rest of the country as train services remained stalled for the second day today with no trains leaving Guwahati station today and none entering Assam," North East Frontier Railway Spokesman S Hajong said.

More than 30,000 passengers were stranded yesterday in different places as 26 trains were cancelled and 31 stopped at different stations.

"It is a matter of serious concern and I have spoken to Home Minister P Chidambram asking for more security for passengers and train movement", Railway Minister Mukul Roy told reporters.

The army has been called in to help police and paramilitary forces in Kokrajhar and Chirang.
The National Disaster Response Force and the Assam Forest Protection Force are also being deployed in the districts.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday called up Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and urged him to do "everything possible" to quell the violence