Initial difficulties in controlling Assam violence, says PM

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Noting that there were 'initial difficulties' in controlling the violence in Assam's BTAD and Dhubri districts, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said both the Centre and state government would take measures to normalise the situation and provide a healing touch to victims.

"What has happened is very sad. I share your grief and all of us are with you in this hour of your suffering," the Prime Minister told reporters at a relief camp at the Kokrajhar Commerce College after meeting refugees.

Asked what led to the trouble, the Prime Minister said, "The issue is very complex and when peace returns we will analyse it." He said, "We are all Indians and we must remain united. This is not the time to make allegations and counter-allegations. We all have to live together." he said.

"Our top priority is to restore peace and we will provide all necessary facilities to the affected people," he added.

The Prime Minister's visit to Kokrajhar was delayed for more than two hours after his helicopter, along with that of the two others, had to return to Guwahati due to technical problem.

He later left in an IAF one. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and APCC President Bhubaneswar Kalita.

Though the Prime Minister was scheduled to visit two relief camps he could visit only one, because of delay in arrival.