Violence unabated in N-E, Patil talks of strategy

On a visit to Assam and Nagaland, where a series of strikes by militant outfits claimed 55 lives, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today assured that the Centre would provide all assistance to ensure protection of human lives in north-eastern states and soon evolve a long-term strategy to tackle terrorism.

"All help, including additional security forces, wherever necessary to ensure protection of human lives, will be provided by the Centre," Patil said after arriving in Guwahati where he held talks with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi before travelling to Nagaland.

Bomb explosions, firing and grenade attacks by militants since yesterday have claimed 55 lives and left over a hundred injured in Assam and Nagaland.

Patil said a long-term strategy for combating terrorism in the Northeast would soon be formulated. Stress was being given on good co-ordination among law-enforcing agencies of the states, army and paramilitary forces and people, he said.

At Dimapur, in separate meetings with Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the Chumukedima police complex, Patil assured them of all possible help from the Centre in tracking down the perpetrators of the crime.

Official sources said both the governor and the chief minister informed Patil about the steps taken by the state government in tracing the culprits involved in the blast and relief measures for the affected. They also urged Patil to expedite the ongoing peace talks to resolve the Naga political conflict at the earliest, sources said.

Soon after arriving at Dimapur, Patil went straight to the blast site at the railway station. With streets deserted, save for a few police vehicles, and shops and markets closed, the Union minister then drove to the district civil hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured.

They also urged Patil to expedite the ongoing peace talks to resolve the Naga political conflict at the earliest, sources said.