Gogoi, Centre blame each other over Nagaland-Assam border clash

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who is accused of a brutal crackdown on the protesters, said police should have avoided lathicharge and firing of rubber bullets, but blamed the centre for escalation of the situation in Golaghat region along the border with Nagaland.

Gogoi blamed the situation on central forces.

The ruling Congress, including Gogoi's son Gourav Gogoi, also blamed it on CRPF, a charge the central forces denied. Gourav Gogoi said CRPF failed to protect the lives of people along the border and though it was supposed to be a neutral force under the centre, it has failed.

The Centre has reacted immediately.

"Law and order is state subject and it is not proper to blame us," said Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju who will visit Assam on Thursday.

He said centre has helped the Assam government and he cannot blame them. Kiren Rijiju said he would meet the CM too.

At least two people died in police firing on Wednesday as the ethnic violence along Nagaland Assam border in Golaghat over land continues to scald the region, said reports. Another cop also died, according to a TV channel. On Tuesday one had died in Rongajon after being run over by a bus during a police action.

Thus at least 15 deaths were reported over the week in the violence. With two more dying in fresh firing amid arson and clashes, the toll only rose even as Prime Minister Narendera Modi sought a report from the Home Ministry.

TV showed footages of public vehicles set on fire and women also charging the police and taking blows as well.