CM opens inquiry into Assam deaths

Guwahati: Assam CM Tarun Gogoi on Monday instituted a judicial inquiry by a retired judge into the outbreak of violence in Bodoland Territorial Council areas, saying this would unveil the conspiracy and book culprits.

The CM said his government had already requested the National Investigation Agency to probe the killings. Under fire from several quarters after reports claimed the government planned to arm people in minority villages, Mr Gogoi said, “There was no such proposal or even discussion on providing arms to victims.”

A National Investig-ation Agency team led by IGP G.P. Singh arrived on Monday for preliminary investigations, and sources said it would visit the violence-hit areas. It is significant that the Assam police’s special task force had registered three cases over the killings, which may now be transferred to the NIA.

Security sources said no violence was reported in any of the BTC areas on Monday.