Assam: Army called in to quell violence in Baksa district

Guwahati, Aug 16: The situation in

continues to be tense and sporadic incidents of

are being reported from different parts of the state.

The latest flashpoint is the Baksa district where the Army has been deployed. Yesterday night, a mob set on fire a car and another group of miscreants retaliated by torching a bus and a bridge at Tamalpur today morning.

Seeing things spiral out of control, the police opened fire. However, fresh reports of similar unrest in the Kamrup district too suggest that the authorities have failed to take effective steps.

Ever since clashes broke out between Bodo tribals and Muslim settlers in Jul, the state has been on the edge. The Bodos have long been complaining that those who illegally immigrated from Bangladesh snatched their livelihoods and lands.

Both sides accused each other of triggering the communal disturbance last month that claimed over 70 lives. The Army was called in to aid the central paramilitary forces and the police in their efforts to restore law and order.

The Assam riots had an unexpected fallout in Mumbai too. Protesters attending a rally at the Azad Maidan on Aug 11 turned restive after hearing some provocative speeches. They went on a rampage in India's financial capital and attacked mediapersons as well as passengers at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

The hooligans not only seized self loading rifles from cops, they also molested policewomen. Lathicharge and tear gas had no effect as irate youths set ablaze several buses and police vehicles with impunity besides damaging quite a few shops in the subway leading to CST.

Later it emerged that the mayhem was pre-planned. Intelligence agencies had intimated the Maharashtra government about an inflammatory SMS being sent to subscribers well in advance but the warning was unfortunately not heeded.

Another disturbing development is the spread of rumours. Yesterday, hundreds of workers boarded North East-bound trains from the Bangalore railway station apparently in panic. This is because of threats that their relatives will be harmed after Ramzan.

OneIndia News