This is a time for healing, PM tells Assam violence victims

Kokrajhar: Assuring that causes of the ethnic violence in lower Assam will be addressed, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday announced a Rs 300 crore relief package for the affected districts.

"Yes, a proper enquiry will be held into the tragic circumstances...we will address the causes of the conflict. If it is instigated, the guilty will be punished," Singh said after visiting the violence-hit areas and meeting the affected people taking shelter in relief camps.

He also said, "The ethnic conflict is unacceptable and must come to a stop."

Manmohan Singh announced a package of Rs 300 crore for relief and rehabilitation and development of the affected areas.

Meeting the victims of violence in the relief camps, Singh said, "I have come here to share your sorrow and pain and this is a time for healing."

Assuring full support for the people affected in the violence, the Prime Minister said, "my government will do everything possible to help the victims."

Singh announced a package of Rs 300 crore for relief and rehabilitation and development of the affected areas.

The package is in addition to the ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund of Rs 2 lakhs to the families of each of those killed and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured.

Rs 30,000 will be given to people whose houses have been completely damaged, while Rs 20,000 would be provided to those whose property have suffered partial damage.

The Prime Minister is on a day's visit to Assam to take stock of the situation after ethnic violence claimed over 50 lives in the last few days.

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