Probe into Nagaland Police ?assault? case ordered

Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday directed state Chief Secretary N K Das to conduct an enquiry into the incident of Nagaland Police personnel allegedly assaulting Assam agitators in Assam?s Golaghat district and submit a report at the earliest.

Expressing concern at the incident, Gogoi asked Das to collect the details regarding the incident at Folongi in Golaghat district on Wednesday from the district deputy commissioner and file a detailed report after a thorough investigation.

At least 20 students, including girls, were injured at Folongi on Wednesday when police personnel from Nagaland allegedly used force to remove a peaceful blockade being staged by a group of agitators, led by All Assam Students Union (AASU).

Taking serious note of the recent spurt of border tensions, Gogoi has directed development of border areas on a priority basis.

Discussing the border tension issue at a high-level meeting here yesterday, Gogoi said priority has to be accorded to areas badly affected by lack of surface communication by way of building roads and bridges.

He said the Government would double the funds for infrastructure development of border areas from that of Rs 10 crore allocated in this year?s budget.

The meeting also decided to start recruitment for a special border protection force soon.

Meanwhile, tension continued to brew at Folongi following Wednesday?s incident as local people and students and youth activists today staged a demonstration in front of the Golaghat deputy commissioner?s office, alleging failure of the district administration to ensure safety of the people.

Border tensions with neighbouring states have been rocking the state for quite some time. In a recent case, Naga rebels in Arunachal Pradesh had attacked Assamese villages at Charaipung area of Assam?s Sivsagar district and the situation could be brought under control only after the intervention of the state governments at the topmost levels.