Guwahati, August 16
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today blamed it on rumour mongering over recent violence in the state that created panic among students and people from Assam and other parts of N-E living in southern states and Maharashtra. Gogoi remarks came on a day of fresh violence that gripped trouble-torn Kokrajhar district in Assam, leaving at least nine seriously injured. The unrest spread to Kamrup (rural) which reported arson and police firing on Thursday.

Gogoi appealed to students and people from Assam and other parts of the North-East to refrain from rushing back to their home states out of panic. "I appeal to students and others, especially in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, that they should not panic and rush back. Rumour mongering is going on, but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has talked to the CMs of the two states to ensure security," Gogoi said.

He said a ministerial team would leave for Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh on Friday. Gogoi said he had already got in touch with the chief ministers of Maharashtra, Kerela, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as well as the Union Home minister to ensure the safety and security of people of Assam-origin in those states.