Guwahati, August 3 : The UPA government decision to create Telangana has brought out more agitation and violence in Assam as different ethnic groups demand four separate states.
Violence continued in Karbi Anglong district for the fourth day as protesters of different organizations, who demanded a separate Karbi state had set ablaze several government offices, congress offices in different parts of the hill district on Saturday.
The agitation came out more violent on July 31 at Diphu town and spread to different parts of the district, in which protesters set ablaze at least 60 government offices, public property, several vehicles, MP, MLA’s, KAAC Executive Members house and vandalized several government offices, and the railway track.
The district administration imposed an indefinite curfew in the district on July 31 and called in the army to control the situation.
Protesters had set ablaze four DRDA, Irrigation offices at Dokmoka, Diphu on Saturday.
Karbi Anglong district SP, Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said the situation was under control at Diphu town and the district administration has relaxed curfew for eight hours on Saturaday.
“Security forces had apprehended at least 11 protesters including two top leaders of Karbi Students Union (KSA) from different parts of the district so far,” Mahanta said.
At least two people were killed and 50 others, including 11 security personnel, were injured in the clashes between police and protesters during the violent situation in the district.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary secretary of Home department of the state government Etua Munda and Asam police IGP (Law and order) SN Singh had visited the trouble torn district on Friday and discussed with top security officials to control the situation.
Two state government ministers will visit to the district on Saturday.
The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and several Bodo organizations including All Bodo Womens Federation, Bodo Sahitya Sabha, NDFB(P), People’s Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement, and Bodoland People’s Progressive Front observed a 12-hour rail blockade on August 2.
ABSU called a 60-hour strike from August 5 and the United Democratic Front with several Bodo organizations also called a 1500-hour strike to demand a separate state for the ethnic tribes.
NDFB(P) and People’s Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement jointly called a 100-hour national highway blockade from August 13.
Apart from Bodo organizations, the Hills State Democratic Party (HSDP) also called a 100-hour strike from August 5 to demand a separate hill state.
The Rajbongshi community are also demanding separation. The All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union (AKRSU) and several organizations in the Koch Rajbongshi community have demanded a separate Kamatapur state and the organizations also initiated agitation programmes.
“If the Union government fails to resolve the issue of a separate Kamatapur state, their agitation will be continued,” AKRSU president Biswajit Roy said.
The state Home Department on Friday issued a shoot-on-sight order at railway tracks in Karbi Anglong district.
The Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled at least 11 major rail movements and changed the schedule of 15 rail movements.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said that, he will not support the division of Assam again.
