Under attack for its alleged improper handling of anti-Bihari violence in the state, the Assam government has decided to seek a CBI probe into the incidents.‘‘We have decided for the CBI probe because if the state government was to conduct the probe then the Opposition parties would allege that it was one-sided,’’ Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said at a press conference here today.‘‘We will soon be writing to the Centre for a CBI probe as all the facts should be revealed as to who was responsible for the attacks,’’ he added.Reiterating that the carnage took place due to lack of sufficient security personnel, Gogoi said of late 15 more companies of paramilitary forces have arrived, raising the strength to 125 companies.‘‘Had the paramilitary forces been present here earlier, we could have perhaps avoided such unfortunate incidents,’’ he said. For yesterday’s incident, in which he faced the ire of inmates of a relief camp at Doomdooma near Tinsukia, Gogoi put the blame on the BJP and the VHP, saying members of these two groups had entered the camp to foment trouble.Gogoi also accused the BJP and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) of being hand-in-glove with the ULFA, but was all praise for the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) for contributing towards bringing back normalcy.‘‘No doubt, the original issue of job reservation was raised by the AASU. But its leaders have been doing their best to organise peace rallies and constitute peace committees in Tinsukia and other districts,’’ Gogoi said.On the other hand, he said: ‘‘There hasn’t been one effort by the AGP and the BJP to help restore peace. Instead, leaders of the two parties have been making irresponsible statements and wild allegations against the Congress government.’’‘‘While AGP president Brindaban Goswami, instead of condemning the violence, has been demanding Central rule, (Union Minister Bijoya) Chakravarty even incited the AASU boys to attack the railway headquarters,’’ he said.But the CM was unable to say whether his government would take any legal step against the Union minister for her alleged attempt to create public disorder. ‘‘She is a senior political leader,’’ Gogoi said. Day's Development • Two more persons are burnt alive at Ledo Tirap Gate in Tinsukia district in the wee hours, taking the toll in anti-Bihari violence to 61. Police say a 60-year-old woman and her grand daughter were sleeping when their house was torched around 1.30 am • Three Biharis injured at Sonitpur district. Bujeswari Devi (65), Narayan Sah (15) and Ashabkaldulna (25) have been admitted to Biswanath Chariali Civil Hospital • Lt Gen J.S. Varma, GOC-in-C of Eastern Command visits trouble-torn Tinsukia district • NCP gen secy and ex-Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra asks for immediate Central intervention to check anti-Bihari violence • BJP hits back at Assam government and RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav’s charge that the Centre’s inability to rush security forces was responsible for the escalation in violence, saying law and order is a state subject AMSU urges Manipur to check Bihari influx IMPHAL: The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) on Wednesday urged the Manipur government to maintain vigil along its border with Assam to check infiltration of Bihari refugees from the state. AMSU president L. Joykumar said the North-East Students’ Organisation (NESO) would meet on Saturday in Guwahati to review the situation. He urged the Central leaders, including the Prime Minister, to intervene. (Agencies)
