A CBI inquiry into the Assam violence has been initiated and the Army put on alert, the government told the Rajya Sabha today as the opposition alleged that the region was not safe because of vote bank politics being indulged by the ruling Congress.

Replying to a debate on the issue of violence in Assam that has so far claimed 74 lives, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the government was taking the issue seriously and has already initiated a CBI inquiry to ascertain the causes behind violent incidents.

"The government is taking this issue very seriously. A CBI team has gone there and an inquiry has started....I have instructed the Army to be alert," he said.

As the opposition created an uproar expressing dissatisfaction over his reply, Shinde said, "I have instructed the Army to be on alert. What else do you want?" He also listed the steps taken by the government to provide relief and rehabilitation, but the opposition dismissed what he said by creating uproar.