Assam is sitting on time bomb: Ravi Shankar

Guwahati, Aug 9 (IANS) "Assam is sitting on a time bomb," spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar warned Thursday.

He also told the media here after visiting refugee camps housing Bodo tribals and Bengali speaking Muslims that "vote bank politics" had ruined Assam.

He said the mistrust and fear generated by last month's ethnic violence that claimed around 70 lives "will take time to heal".

Ravi Shankar earlier met victims of the violence in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts, a statement from his Art of Living Foundation said.

Addressing a large gathering of Bodos, he advised them to face the tragedy with courage and prepare to reclaim their life.

"It's really painful that such a tragedy has happened in our country," he was quoted as saying.

At the Basugoan camp of Muslims, Ravi Shankar expressed concern over the conditions of many elderly inmates.

In his bid to help the people overcome their trauma, he advised them to see whatever happened as a bad dream and pray for a better tomorrow.

At all the relief camps, he distributed relief materials such as clothes, baby food and toiletries.

In Kokrajhar, Ravi Shankar met representatives of various groups including All Bodo Student Union, Bodo People's Front and academics from Kokrajhar University.