Guwahati, Jul 24 (IANS): Two Assam ministers Tuesday reached restive Kokrajhar district after communal violence in the region killed 19 people and forced thousands to flee their homes.

The deaths have been reported from Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in the state's Bodoland area.

More than 40,000 people have abandoned their homes and taken shelter in relief camps set up by the district administration.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka and Revenue Minister Prithibi Majhi were deputed by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Curfew, clamped in both districts Monday, remained in force Tuesday.

"The situation remains tense in both districts. With curfew on, no fresh incident of violence was reported," said a senior official.

But he added that miscreants did set ablaze houses people were abandoning fearing attacks by the rival community.

The government has issued shoot-at-sight orders in Kokrajhar.

The chief minister reviewed the law and order situation with police officials Monday night.

Railway officials said the running of at least 20 trains in the state had been severely affected as both the outbound and inbound trains are stopped at various stations in Assam.