Curfew in Rangapara, tension continues

Guwahati, Nov 28 (UNI) Indefinte curfew was today clamped on Rangapara township of Sonitpur district following reports of arson and tension in the ongoing adivasi-related violence.

Police said the curfew was clamped following arson by about 3000 adivasi youths from neraby tea gardens in the town.

However, police quickly brought the situation under control.

Sporadic violence marked the Santhals-sponsored 24-hour ''Assam Bandh'' today to protest the November 24 incident.

The bandh, called by the All Assam Santhal Students' Union, affected life mostly in the tea belts and Adivasi-dominated areas. Long distance buses and trucks were escorted by police in convoy at several places.

Police said a large number of Adivasi picketers had gathered in the Rangapara area in Tezpur during the day.

The area, as well as. Its adjoining areas had witnessed violence during the 36-hour statewide strike yesterday.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi appealed for calm. He met the editors of several english and vernacular dailies in the state and briefed them about the situation.

UNI