(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Indian Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh yesterday reviewed the security situation in Assam in the aftermath of the massacre of villagers by Bodo militants, as the security forces intensified operations along the international border with Bhutan.
Also yesterday, the central government directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the killings.
The army chief said he would continue to maintain a close watch on the region.
An army spokesman said Singh headed to the army base in Rangia straight from the Guwahati airport and reviewed the security situation with top commanders.
He was given an overview of the current status of operations, including the various measures taken to improve the larger security milieu in Assam.
The general reviewed the deployment of 66 army columns in the disturbed areas, after the violence unleashed by Bodo militants left 73 people dead and rendered over 70,000 homeless in the four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Sonitpur and Udalguri.
"He was briefed on the proactive actions undertaken by the army along with different agencies to intensify the pressure against the militant outfits," a defence spokesman said in a statement here.
The army chief interacted with various commanders in the field to obtain a first-hand perspective of the operations, and also undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the strife-torn areas.
The army chief expressed satisfaction over the steps taken at all levels, and asked for greater synergy with the central and state intelligence and security agencies, the statement said.
"The general also took note of the roadmap being planned by the army jointly with police and directed his troops to extend all possible support to the state administration in bringing back normalcy, while at the same time carrying out relentless operations against the perpetrators of terror," it said.
The army has already intensified operations along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh inter-state border and along the international border with Bhutan in the aftermath of the massacre by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).
Gen Singh on Friday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi over the situation.
The central government has already sent 50 companies of additional forces including those from the Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force to control the situation.
Although there has been no fresh incident of violence since Tuesday's killings, the exodus of people continued in the districts.
Police sources said the Bhutan border has been sealed and a special operation might be launched soon against militants from the northeast hiding there.
The State Disaster Management Authority said over 70,000 people have taken shelter in 77 relief camps in the affected districts.
In New Delhi, the home ministry asked the NIA to take up the investigation.
The Assam government had recommended that the investigation be handed over to the NIA.
"Considering the gravity of the offences and relevant factors," the central government agreed to get these probed by the NIA.
Meanwhile, the supply of essential goods from different parts of India to the northeastern region has been affected due to the violence, officials said.
"Due to the violence, truck drivers are scared to ply through Assam from West Bengal and other parts of the country. Road blockades in north Bengal also worsen the situation," a Tripura government official said.
"Hundreds of vehicles, mostly trucks, remained stranded as adivasis (tribals) blocked roads in different areas of Malda district in protest against the massacre (by Bodo militants in Assam)."
"We expect that the situation would improve soon. The state government's transport department officials are in touch with the authorities of other northeastern states," the official said.
Goods-laden trucks stranded in West Bengal are mostly bound for Tripura, Mizoram, southern Assam and parts of Manipur.
The eight northeastern states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim - are largely dependent on Punjab, Haryana and other bigger states for food grains and other essential commodities.
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