No illegal Bangladeshis in Assam: Tarun Gogoi

New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) There are no illegal Bangladeshi nationals staying in Assam, stated Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here Monday, attributing the recent violence in his state to the handiwork of 'devious elements'.

'There are no illegal Bangladeshis in Assam. Who says they are killing the tribals?' Gogoi told IANS on the sidelines of the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting here.

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Gogoi claimed there was a conspiracy by vested interests to malign his state's image by claiming that illegal Bangladeshis were behind the recent ethnic violence in the northeastern state.

'Unscrupulous elements are creating the disturbance in the state. The violence in Udalguri and Darrang was the handiwork of devious elements,' the chief minister said.

'I said this at the NIC meeting as well,' he said.

At least 55 people were killed and over 200,000 displaced following ethnic violence in the northern Assam districts of Udalguri and Darrang.

The violence has been attributed to clashes between illegal Bangladeshi migrants and ethnic tribal Bodos.

Amar Singh, Samajwadi Party general secretary, told reporters after emerging from the NIC meeting, 'I visited the violence-hit districts of the state.'

'At least 100 Muslims were killed in Assam in last week's violence.'

Minister of State for Home Shakeel Ahmad Sunday visited at least six relief camps in Udalguri and Darrang and assessed the situation.

Ahmad, who led a three-member team constituted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to the state, is to submit a detailed report to her Tuesday.

'The state is in favour of a high level inquiry into the ethnic clashes,' said Gogoi.

The NIC, with representatives from all parties and different social organisations, was constituted in 1962 to promote national unity through inclusive growth.