The Army has been deployed in sensitive areas of Assam’s Kokrajhar district after mob violence left two people dead and triggered arson and clashes, allegedly between members of the Bodo and Adivasi communities.
Army personnel carried out joint patrols with the district administration in violence-hit Karigaon and adjoining localities on Tuesday night. A flag march is scheduled on Wednesday as part of confidence-building measures. Four Army columns have been deployed in the district.
The situation remained under control on Wednesday, with heavy security arrangements in place across Kokrajhar and the neighbouring Chirang district.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that arrangements were in place for Army deployment, while the Rapid Action Force (RAF) had already been pressed into service following the outbreak of violence.
According to the home department, the unrest began late Monday night when a vehicle carrying three Bodo men hit two Adivasi persons on Mansingh Road under the Karigaon police outpost. The occupants of the vehicle were allegedly assaulted by nearby Adivasi villagers, and the vehicle was set ablaze. One person died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries on Tuesday. Three injured persons are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Also read: Kokrajhar mob attack leaves one dead, four injured
Tensions escalated further on Tuesday as members of both communities blocked the National Highway near the Karigaon outpost, burned tyres, set a government office on fire and attacked the local police outpost.
Police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, leaving several people, including police personnel, injured.
The district administration has set up two relief camps at Karigaon High School and Gwajanpuri Amanpara High School after residents fled their homes fearing further violence.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed across Kokrajhar district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. As a precautionary measure, internet and mobile data services have also been suspended in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts.
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