Shoot-at-sight orders in Assam’s Kokrajhar as violence escalates
Dhaka, July 23 (UNB) - Unabated violence on Monday forced the Assam government to issue shoot-at-sight orders in Kokrajhar district, reports The Hindu.
It says attackers set ablaze houses in several villages forcing residents to take shelter in relief camps on Sunday.
The death toll in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts went up to 19. The Army staged a flag march in sensitive areas of Kokrajhar district for the second day, even as over 40,000 people fled their homes and took shelter in 47 camps.
Inspector General of Police (Bodoland Territorial Area Districts) SN Singh told The Hindu that shoot-at-sight orders were issued as the situation was threatening to take a serious turn. So far, 15 bodies had been recovered in Kokrajhar and four in Chirang. The violence had also left 18 people injured.
Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Donald Gilfellon said incidents of arson were widespread on Monday with miscreants torching houses left abandoned by panicked villagers.
Indefinite curfew was clamped again on Monday night after relaxation during the day. Violence spread to the neighbouring Dhubri district during a bandh called by the All Assam Minority Students’ Union to protest the attack on minorities in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD), prompting the district administration to clamp indefinite curfew in areas under six police stations. The Army has been called in to assist the civil administration in preventing escalation of violence.
The 24-hour bandh called by the All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union affected life in all four BTAD districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri.
The violence-hit people blocked the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express between Bongaigaon and Gossaigaon for several hours, disrupting running of 18 trains. The train left after the
A meeting of political parties and socio-cultural organisations was held at the Kokrajhar Circuit House. Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain, Transport Minister Chandan Brahma, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Nazrul Islam, Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrma Mahilary, and representatives of the All Bodo Students’ Union attended the meeting.
It urged the people to maintain peace.
