Curfew in Margherita after ten hurt in police lathicharge

Guwahati, Nov 25 (UNI) Indefinite curfew was clamped in Margherita of Tinsukia district in upper Asom today after ten people, including three policemen, were injured when police lathicharged and fired in the air to disperse a crowd protesting the formation of Tirap Autonomous District Council.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was scheduled to announce the new autonomous district council at a function at Margherita today.

However, various bodies of non-tribal people of the area imposed a 12-hour local bandh and National Highway blockade to protest it.

Mr Gogoi could not attend the function due to the agitation.

As the crowd swelled, police resorted to lathicharge and fired in the air.

The protestors also pelted stones on the police.

At least ten people were injured, including the Lekhapani police station Officer in-charge, who sustained serious injuries.

The car of Margherita SDO (Civil) was also burnt down by the protestors.

Indefinite curfew had been clamped and Army called in to monitor the situation.

UNI SG SJC AD DB1959