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Sunday, Jan 07, 2007
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Red alert issued in Bihar

Special Correspondent

Team sent to Assam to review situation

PATNA: The Bihar Government on Saturday issued a red alert across the State in the wake of the killings of Bihari labourers, among others, by the United Liberation Front of Asom in Assam over the past two days. The Railways, as a precautionary measure, has stepped up security on trains.

At a special Cabinet meeting here, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took stock of the situation and sent a five-member team comprising three Ministers and two officials to Assam. He directed Bihar Director-General of Police Ashish Ranjan Sinha to monitor the situation, and also sought the Centre's help in coping with the situation there and prevent escalation in violence and a backlash in Bihar.

Mr. Kumar called up his Assam counterpart, Tarun Kumar Gogoi, and expressed concern over the issue.

Mr. Gogoi said his government would protect the life and property of Biharis in that State. He also talked to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

Security in trains

Additional forces have been deployed in all trains from and to Guwahati. Mr. Kumar has also requested the State and the Railways to depute more paramilitary forces and RPF for security and protection of Assamese travelling through Bihar.

He announced a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the Bihari families affected in the killings and hoped that the Centre and the Assamese Government would also provide assistance to them.

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