Central, Assam govts failed on law and order front: AIUDF

GUWAHATI: Assam's principal Opposition party AIUDF today alleged that both the central and state governments have failed in maintaining law and order situation in violence-hit areas of the state.

"The state government has lost control over the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area and the Centre has also not done enough. If the government cannot protect the lives and property of the common people, what is the use of having such regime," All India United Democratic Front General Secretary Aditya Langthasa told reporters here.

Armed miscreants were able to act with impunity and without any challenge from the government and security forces, he alleged.

"The situation was returning to normalcy when suddenly innocent people were targeted at Salakati and Fakiragram in Kokrajhar district on August 22. Since then, the attacks have not been by countered," Langthasa said.

"From the July 9 molestation case in Guwahati to the violence in lower Assam and yesterday's incidents during the bandh called by All Assam Minority Students' Union, all point towards grave failure on the part of the state," he said.

Langthasa also demanded action against AAMSU cadres who resorted to violence during yesterday's Assam bandh.

"Everybody has a right to protest in a democratic manner, but when violence takes the front seat then that protest cannot be termed as democratic," Langthasa said, adding that AIUDF is against "any bandh call".

The AIUDF leader also said that the state government should take into confidence all the communities before taking any decisions on the violence-hit areas.