Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal to vist Kokrajhar today

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will visit Kokrajhar today to take stock of the situation arising out of Friday's terror attack which claimed 13 lives.  Mr Sonowal briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday about the situation. 

The Chief Minister, who was in Delhi, met the Prime Minister and apprised him about the incident at Balajan Tiniali market in Kokrajhar district and the steps taken to nab those involved in it.  Official sources said, the Chief Minister also informed the Union Home Minister, who assured full Central assistance to the state government. 

Mr Sonowal has cut short his visit to the national capital and returned to Assam Friday evening after the terror attack and instructed state police to arrest those involved the in it.

The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia amount of 5 lakh rupees to the families of the deceased, one lakh rupees to those seriously injured and free treatment to other injured. 

Meanwhile, Assam Police has arrested the driver of the auto used by militants to reach Balajan Tiniali market.  Additional DGP L R Bishnoi said that three to four militants carried out the Friday's attack.  He said while one militant was gunned down by security forces, efforts are on to nab the remaining attackers. 

He said, three additional



companies of Army arrived in Kokrajhar following the incident. 

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that preliminary investigations point towards the involvement of Songbijit faction of NDFB militants in the attack. National Investigation Agency has sent a team to the site of the incident to collect evidence. The Centre is closely monitoring the situation arising out of the Kokrajhar attack. 

Mr. Rajnath Singh Friday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review internal security situation in the country. 

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Advisor AK Doval among others. Later in the day, Mr. Singh had another round of meeting with Mr. Doval where he was apprised about the Kokrajhar attack.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident. Mr Mukherjee called upon the Assam government and all concerned agencies to ensure that the guilty of Kokrajhar militant attack are brought to justice and law and order is maintained in the state. 

In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the Union Home Ministry is in touch with the Assam Government and is monitoring the situation closely. 

He said, he is saddened by the attack and his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and those injured.