Violent Clash Kills Two in Sonitpur

At least two people were killed and 20 injured including security personnel in a clash between a mob and security forces in Assam’s Sonitpur district on Tuesday morning, officials said.

The incident took place at Baghmari area under Biswanath Chariali sub-division in the district on Tuesday morning.

The mob turned violent following the district administration trying to close a linking road near a power grid corporation office.

“The mob attacked district administration officials and security personnel with sticks, stones and damaged several vehicles of the administration,” a top official of Sonitpur district administration said.

The mob also set ablaze five vehicles.

“To control the situation, security forces fired in air and then opened fire at the mob,” the official said.

A person Matibur Rahman was killed on spot in police firing and an injured person died in hospital.

During the clash, at least 20 people including two CRPF jawans were injured and then rushed to Tezpur civil hospital and Guwahati medical college hospital.

The local villagers blocked the NH-52 protest against the police firing incident.

Meanwhile, the district administration has deployed more security forces at the area to control the tense situation.

Several organizations including Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) had protested against the police firing to local villagers and demanded a high level inquiry.

Hemanta Kumar Nath

Hemanta Kumar Nath is a correspondent in Assam, India, who reports on local news in Assam, the north east Indian state.