HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Jan 22: Assam Cabinet Minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma has appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace and harmony as the situation in the greater Karigaon area of Kokrajhar district has largely returned to normal. With improvement in the situation, three out of the five relief camps have been closed by Thursday evening, according to official sources.
More than 450 families are currently taking shelter in two relief camps located at Karigaon High School and Bhaoraguri near Aodang Bazar. The three camps that have been closed are Sonapara, Haldwibari and No 6 Bashbari, following the restoration of peace in those areas.
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On Wednesday, Minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma visited relief camps at different locations and interacted with the inmates. He took stock of the prevailing situation and assured the affected families of all necessary support from the State Government. The minister stated that the government has initiated strong measures to restore peace and tranquillity in the region and urged citizens to maintain unity and integrity during the process of normalisation.
A high-level team of the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), led by party general secretary Raju Kumar Narzary, also visited the relief camps to assess the situation. Narzary described the incident as unfortunate and unwanted and appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace and harmony for healthy integration in the region. He demanded that the district administration, local government and State Government take bold initiatives to ensure the safety and security of life and property.
The UPPL team submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar, urging the administration to provide sufficient relief materials in the camps. The memorandum also called for necessary steps to ensure security in affected areas under Kokrajhar subdivision, along with adequate health services and educational facilities, especially for students appearing in the HSLC and Higher Secondary final examinations.
The party further urged the authorities to improve facilities in the relief camps and ensure proper distribution of food and essential supplies as per the relief manual. Camp residents raised concerns over the non-receipt of basic rations and demanded proper Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, temporary shelters, warm clothing and special care for infants, children and women. Support was also sought for students to ensure their studies are not disrupted. The UPPL demanded temporary police outposts in affected villages to facilitate early repatriation and rehabilitation of displaced families and stressed strict enforcement of the rule of law in sensitive areas.
ABSU president Dipen Boro, along with other members, also visited the violence-affected areas and appealed to the district administration and State Government to take necessary steps to restore peace and normalcy.
Meanwhile, the district civil and police administration has strengthened security arrangements in the violence-affected areas of Kokrajhar subdivision. Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and CRPF have been deployed in remote and sensitive areas to maintain peace. Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar Pankaj Chakravarty stated that the situation has returned to normal and no fresh incidents were reported till Thursday evening. He confirmed that three relief camps have been closed following the restoration of peace in the area.
