Simmering tension continued in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Saturday even as there was no major incident of violence reported from anywhere in the district in the last 24 hours. The curfew was relaxed for three hours in Diphu and adjoining areas during the day — from 8 am to 11 am.
The district had been witnessing violent protests by several organisations over demand for creation of a separate State in the hill district since last Wednesday - particularly after the Centre decided to grant Statehood to Telangana. Government establishments had been damaged by the protesters particularly in the district headquarters Diphu and some of its adjoining areas.
IGP (law and Order) of the Assam Police, SN Singh said that the situation has improved but it is still tense. “We have deployed adequate security personnel in all the sensitive areas of the district. There has been no reports of any violent incident since last 24 hours,” Singh said.
On Friday, the Government called in Army to assist the State police in the district. The Army had carried out flag march in violence-hit areas of the district. On Saturday, Assam Revenue Minister Prithibi Majhi and Water Resources Minister Rajiv lochan Pegu visited Diphu to take stock of the situation.
A delegation of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC) - which runs administration in the neighbouring Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts - is likely to visit New Delhi on August 5 to meet the UPA leadership for implementation of Article 244 (A) in the districts to meet the aspirations of the people of the two hill district. The implementation of Article 244 (A) will mean creation of State-within-State structure, paving way for complete autonomy in the hill districts.
On the other hand, the four districts of Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD) on Saturday witnessed a shutdown called by some non-Bodo organisations opposing the recent demand for a separate Bodoland State. On Friday, several Bodo organisations called in a 12-hour rail roko programme demanding a separate Bodoland.
A delegation of the Koch Rajbongshi Students Union (AKRSU), which had also been demanding a separate Kamatapur State for the community, met Assam Governor JB Patnaik to press for their demands.
Meanwhile, the Assam Government has appealed to one and all to exercise great restraint to help in restoring normalcy in Karbi Anglong and BTAD areas. The Government has also appealed to the media to help in maintaining peace and harmony by exercising restraint in reporting cases of violence.