Advani accuses Centre of criminal delay in dealing with Assam riots

Guwahati, July 31 (ANI): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K Advani on Tuesday sharply attacked the Central Government for criminally delaying action in halting the escalating ethnic violence in Assam.

Advani, who visited riot-hit Assam, said: "The situation has worsened because there was a criminal delay in dealing with it, even when the symptoms were there."

He also said illegal immigration from Bangladesh has been the root cause violence in Assam.

"As a result of illegal immigration and the Government of India and the state government's collusion, three problems have arisen. Indigenous people feel they are losing control of their own land. The second is the ethnic problem faced by Bodos who feel threatened they'd be marginalised in their own areas. The third is the demographic change in Assam," he added.

Advani earlier trained his guns on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh over the ethnic clashes that took place in his own home state.

"I think it is a serious situation, and I endorse what the Prime Minister has said that occurrences of such incidents are a blot for the country. Dr. Singh must have realized that he is a son and Member of Parliament from this state," said Advani.

He hoped for early rehabilitation of the displaced locals who had to flee from their homes, after their houses and property were burnt by rioting mob.

"I hope that this situation will not be repeated in Assam and these persons who have been made homeless and are living in relief camps are settled in their own homes at the earliest," said Advani.

The situation in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts has now improved, as no unpleasant incident was reported since Thursday. The concerned district administrations have also relaxed the day curfew now.

The Prime Minister had earlier on Saturday announced Rs. 300 crore as special assistance for development of the violence-hit areas of Assam.

Dr. Singh, who visited relief camps in Kokrajhar, also announced Rs two lakh each to kin of those killed in riots.

The Union Home Ministry has so far made available 11,600 paramilitary personnel for the state to bring back normalcy in the riot-affected areas. (ANI)