Violence in Assam continues, death toll rises to 11 in Bodoland Territorial ... - India Today

Police on Saturday arrested Bodo Territorial Council Executive member Mono Brahma at around 4.45 pm from his residence at Thengapara in Kokrajhar in connection with the murder of two persons at Salbari and Nalbari in Kokrajhar district on November 14.

Police also claimed that an AK 47 was recovered from his house. Brahma's wife Renuprabha Brahma, however, told India Today that additional SP of Kokrajhar Surjit Singh himself kept the AK 47 their home.

"Brahma was arrested on charges of involvement in the murder of two persons at Nalbari and Salbari. Police incidentally recovered arms while raiding his house," Assam Home Secretary GD Tripathi told media.

Local media in Assam claimed that two other top leaders BTC Deputy Chief Kampa Borgayari and Executive Member Derhasat Basumatary have been placed under house arrest though district administration has rubbished such claims.

"The district is under curfew, so everybody has to stay indoors. We have not put anyone under house arrest," said Kokrajhar DC. "I've heard that I would be arrested and security forces have been deployed around my home in Kokrajhar," Borgayari told India Today from Chirang district where he is camping at present.

Tripathi, however, told India Today that the government has found evidences of the involvement of some top Bodo and Muslim leaders in the recent violence that erupted from November 10. "We have given free hand to the police to act against anyone found guilty," said Tripathi.

Meanwhile, All India United Democratic Front chief Baduruddin Ajmal has appealed to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to take a call on continuing the party's coalition with the Bodoland People's Front despite the fact that evidences have been found to prove the involvement of Bodo leaders in the recent violence.

The BPF is the only partner of the Congress-led Assam Government and has two ministers in the current Cabinet. Though Tarun Gogoi had absolute majority to form the government, he decided to make his pre-election coalition partner part of his government.

The BPF is also in power at the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD).

"The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have assured me that the government will do everything to maintain peace and bring the culprits to book. So I'm sure peace will return soon to the BTAD," Ajmal told India Today.