Indefinite curfew imposed in lower Assam

Guwahati, May 26 (UNI) Indefinite curfew has been clamped in Goalpara and Krishnai towns of lower Assam, about 75 km from here, since last night after mob fury left one person dead and injured several others, including a CRPF jawan and some policemen.

Official sources said here today the police also had to fire in the air to disperse the mob.

A 55-year-old man's body was recovered from a lake yesterday, police said, adding the miscreants also torched two houses near Krishnai market.

The incidents occurred on the last day of a 72-hour bandh called by several organisations of the Rabha tribes to protest the delay in granting Sixth Schedule status to the community.

Police later apprehended seven people, belonging to the community in connection with the arson, and took them to Krishnai police station.

In protest against the arrest, an armed mob attacked the police station and hurled stones on the policemen on duty.

A CRPF jawan and several policemen, including Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Singh and DIG Western Range K P Singh Deo were injured in the attack. Police later opened fire in the air to disperse the violent mob.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Goalpara district Utpalananda Sharma claimed that the situation in the curfew-bound areas was completely under control now.

Meanwhile, the Army and Paramilitary forces had been patrolling the violence-affected areas.

UNI MT DPM LPB AS1358