Army moves out of Goalpara, curfew relaxed

Guwahati, Jan 05 (UNI) The indefinite curfew in Lakhipur area of Assam's Goalpara district was relaxed for more than four hours today as the situation improved steadily after Wednesday's twin police firings, which left eight dead.

The Army had also been sent back after it was engaged in maintaining law and order following the incident.

Goalpara Superintendent of Police Abhijit Borah said, " The situation is normal and no untoward incident has been reported since Wednesday. " He informed that the curfew was relaxed from 1130 hours to 1630 hours today.

A decision of withdrawing it completely was likely in a couple of days.

Mr Borah said the last rites of all the deceased had been completed peacefully and there was no flare up in any part in the entire district.

The Army, which had assisted police in the aftermath of Wednesday's incident, had been de-requisitioned today, the SP added.

Police had opened fire on supporters of the Non-Rabha Coordination Committee on Wednesday in Lakhipur twice within a few hours when the latter had burnt vehicles and also tried to attack the police station to enforce a blockade.

They were protesting the postponement of Panchayat polls in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council area with the Panchayat election subsequently postponed in the entire district following the violence.

The state government had already ordered a judicial probe and announced Rs three lakh to the next to kin of each of the deceased.

UNI SG SJC AB 1655