SILCHAR, April 12—Union Minister of State for Home ID Swami today blamed the ISI behind the ethnic clashes in the North East and said that exemplary punishment would be meted out to the culprits even as tension continued to mount in the Lakhipur subdivision of Cachar district. Talking to mediapersons at Pailapool after touring the three refugee camps of Lakhipur, Hmar Khawlin and Ganganagar under Lakhipur subdivision, Swami assured the people that security will be provided to them. He also stated that the Centre has sanctioned rehabilitation package of Rs 10 crore to the victims of ethnic clashes in the State.
The Union Minister further said that an amount of Rs 1 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each killed in the ethnic clashes in the district.
Earlier, interacting with the refugees, he said that funds would be provided under Indira Awas Yojana to the refugees for reconstruction of their houses. Of the three camps, Dimasa refugees are being offered relief in Lakhipur and Ganganagar camps while Hmar refugees are living in Hmarkhawlin. Swami was accompanied by former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha and Silchar MLA Bimalangsu Rai. The Minister then proceeded to North Cachar Hills.
During his press briefing, Swami also said the Centre will bear hundred per cent cost of modernisation of the Assam Police force. Earlier on the eve of the Union Minister’s visit, there were reports of heavy exchanges of fire between Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) and Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) in the subdivision. However, no casualties were reported.
In separate incidents, six houses were burnt in Diphuchena and Molongbasti. In Dipuchena, the victims were Dimasas while in Molongbasti, the sufferers were Hmars.
Meanwhile police arrested six HPC-D ultras from Sonai area. The apprehended have been identified as Durem Hmar, Manual Hmar, Hamengai Hmar, Kemisalma Hmar, Tola Manav and Joseph Hmar— all from Jorkhal village. Mentionably, Jorkhal village witnessed the murder of 11 Dimasas on the night of March 31.