Assam ethnic strife: AK Antony admits delay

The ministry of defence (MoD) took 72 hours to give its nod for deployment of army in trouble-torn areas of Assam, defence minister AK Antony said on Monday.

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Antony said the Assam government had on 21 July evening requested the MoD for deployment of army in Kokrajhar district. The ministry then “sought an assessment of the situation from the army as they were already in deployment for counter insurgency duties in Assam”.

On 24 July, the state government again asked for army’s assistance as violence had spread to other districts, Antony said and added, “A fax message was received from the state government on 24 July for deployment of army in aid to civil authorities in the districts of Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Chirang.” On the same day, the Union home ministry also sought the army’s help in these riots affected areas.

Finally, after a delay of 72 hours, the defence ministry issued directions for army’s assistance to civil authorities on the same day, Antony said.

He was replying to a question on whether the Centre took a long time to send reinforcement in trouble-torn areas of Assam.

The minister said 37 army columns have been deployed in Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Chiranguri, Baksa, Kamrup, Nalbari, Hailakandi, Cachar, Karimganj and Sonitpur districts.