Author: TNN
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 5, 2008
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/7_killed_shoot-at-sight_in_Assam/articleshow/3559705.cms
The communally tense twin districts of Assam,
Udalguri and Darrang, witnessed yet another day of rioting as the death toll
climbed to nine on Saturday. Over 50 people have been injured in clashes between
Bodo tribals and Muslims that broke out on Friday and 32 of them have been
shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Udalguri police said reports about hoisting
of a Pakistani national flag at Sonaripara caused fresh turmoil. Officials
said six people were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse violent
mobs at Rowta Bagan, Ekrabari, Sonaripara and Jhargaon in Udalguri district.
Principal secretary (home) Subhash Das told TOI of the nine, six died in police
firing between midnight and Saturday morning in the two districts. Three died
in group clashes. "Police had to open fire on those who indulged in arson.
Situation is tense but under control," he added.
The Assam government on Friday issued shoot-at-sight
orders, imposed curfew on the two districts and asked for the deployment of
Army personnel in the affected areas. On Saturday, the Army staged a flag
march in the sensitive areas of the two districts. ( Watch )
A senior Army official based in Udalguri said,
"We hope the situation will calm down." Ten columns of Army personnel
have been deployed. The Army has set up a joint control room with police.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said, "We
are taking all precautions and shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in areas
that are tense. I have asked for deployment of the Army. No one indulging
in such activities will be spared."
The state government on Saturday suspended
Udalguri SP Bijoy Kuligam and posted A K Tiwari in his place. The government
also transferred deputy commissioner George Basumatary. The district is under
the Bodoloand Territorial Council.
The communal tension, which started in Bodo-dominated
Udalguri district at the foothills bordering Bhutan, spilled over to neighbouring
Darrang district, which is a minority-dominated district on Saturday morning.
Two tribal villages of Puniagaon and Garobasti of Darrang district were burnt
down by mobs on Saturday.
More than 200 houses, mostly belonging to
tribals, were burnt in Udalguri. Hundreds of affected people are staying at
relief camps in Udalguri district. District deputy commissioner (Darrang)
Dhurba Hazarika said, "In the morning, there were incidents of arson
at Punia, Bhakatpara and Jarwapara. Two persons were lynched in mob violence
and we had to open fire in which one person was killed."
