Govt orders inquiry as Doomdoma area remain under curfew

Guwahati, May 15 (UNI) Curfew continued in greater Doomdoma area of violence-hit Tinsukia district of Upper Asom for the third day today with the state government ordering a judicial probe into the clashes that left eight dead.

Official sources confirmed that patrolling had been on but there were no fresh reports of any ethnic clashes, while political leaders, establishment and senior citizens were trying to allay rumours doing the rounds in the areas.

The National Highway blockade had been lifted and trucks were crossing the area under police escort, opening the supply line to Arunachal Pradesh, which had been reeling under severe food crisis due to the road blockade, which eventually sparked the ethnic clash.

Altogether eight persons died in the violence and about 11 were seriously injured as the authorities had to clamp curfew in four police station areas of Doomdoma, Kakopathar, Dholla and Pengeri Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs three lakh to the next of kin of those killed.

Mr Gogoi also assured of medical assistance to those injured in the clashes.

Meanwhile, the political parties made a beeline to the affected areas today. The AUDF delegation was already there, while the AGP also sent a nine-member delegation. The government was contemplating its own team by tomorrow.

The Opposition political parties blamed Government for the violence saying that it helped in fuelling the violence by allowing the rumours to spread about ration supply.

The trouble began when the tea garden labourers, unable to procure their weekly ration because of the ongoing National Highway blockade, attacked the protestors.

According to official source, the ULFA backed protestors who had been blocking the National Highway for the past seven days following the death of an innocent farmer, were pelted stones by angry tea garden labourers who were not being able procure foodstuff following the road blockade.

The blockade began with the killing of one Buddheswar Moran by Army on May 5. He was first declared an ULFA leader but later Army was forced to retract and apologize, admitting that it was mistake killing and he was an innocent person. This led to indefinite blockade of the National Highway.

Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner A K Afsar Hazarika confirmed that situation was brought under control.

The Tinsukia district has remained the most volatile one of Asom, as it is heavily ULFA infested which is using the front organisation and their sympathizers to carry on the battle on behalf of t using the human right issue.

UNI