Violence over Statehood demand continued in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Thursday even as it escalated and spread to newer areas in the district forcing the administration to continue with the indefinite curfew in district headquarters Diphu and its adjoining areas.
Protesters clashed with the police and set Government vehicles and establishments on fire at a number of places as the district on Thursday. One of the victims, who received injuries during the clash on Wednesday died late on Wednesday night, police said.On Thursday, another person was seriously injured when the police opened fire on a group of protesters, who damaged railway track leading to disruption of train services.
The protesters, mostly students, vandalised and torched several Government establishments. Reports about incidents of largescale arsonwere received from a number of places. The offices of a literary body and the All India Radio were among the establishments attacked.The police said the situation was very tense and that all efforts were being made to restore normality.
“The situation is volatile. They (protesters) are mainly targeting Central Government offices,” deputy inspector general, PC Saloi, told The Pioneer. Official sources said Army could soon be called in to contain the situation.
The protesters have set a deadline of August 15 to all the elected Congress members in the district including those in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council asking them to resign. It was learnt that a delegation of the elected members, led by Congress MP Biren Singh Engti, would soon meet Central leaders in New Delhi. Engti said in Guwahati that they would resign if that could bring about solution. The protesters had vandalized the houses of some of the elected members on Wednesday.
Tribal Karbis demand the creation of an “autonomous” state by slicing off parts of Assam. They have for long been very vocal on the demand.