This Article is From Dec 25, 2014

As Assam Burned With Violence, State's Top Bureaucrat Enjoyed Elephant Rides

As Assam Burned With Violence, State's Top Bureaucrat Enjoyed Elephant Rides

Local TV channels reported on Mr Khosla's trip.

Guwahati: As Assam reeled under a spree of militant attacks that claimed over 60 lives in the last two days, a host of senior officials from police, security and intelligence agencies rushed to the affected districts. But state Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla was not among them.

Mr Khosla was, in fact, busy enjoying a family holiday, complete with elephant rides, at the state's Kaziranga National Park.

The Chief Secretary has now come under severe criticism for not cancelling his holiday in spite of the raging violence in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts. Local TV channels have been reporting on Mr Khosla's trip, showing visuals of the Chief Secretary taking elephant rides with his family. (Fresh Militant Attack in Assam, Centre Says 'Act of Terror': 10 Developments)

Even Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has criticised his decision to continue with the trip. "That is not good on the chief secretary's part. He should have immediately come back," Mr Gogoi told media personnel today.

So far, 72 people have died in the state. This morning, five tribals died at Sonitpur's Dhekiajuli police station when the police opened fire at a protesting mob. The police claim the tribals, armed with bows and arrows, had gheraoed the police station.

In retaliatory attacks on Bodo settlements, three more persons died. Another tribal man was injured when the militants targeted a tribal village in Udalguri district.

The state's top police officer, Khagen Sharma, is also to visit the affected areas.

Around 2,500 people have fled their homes and are living at hastily organised relief camps. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is currently in Assam, is expected to visit the affected people.

.