Assam violence rages; 50,000 people in relief camps

Kokrajhar (

), Jul 24: The

in Kokrajhar region in Assam is showing no signs of dying down with reports stating that as many as 60,000 people have been affected and close to 50,000 refugees are housed in 42 relief camps. Latest reports suggest that the violence has been spreading to neighbouring district of Chirang as well.

Railway traffic in the area has been hit with as many as six north-east bound trains being cancelled after protesters engaged in a sit-in protest on the railway tracks. 18 other trains have been affected. Many trains were stalled for long periods of time at the new Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal and at other stations in Assam.

The CRPF has been pressed into action to control the highly-volatile situation with as many as 14 companies of the CRPF deployed there. The Indian Railways have meanwhile made food and water arrangements for the stranded passengers in the trains.

In the third continuous day of violence, 21 people were left dead with Assam CM Tarun Gogoi saying that the situation was extremely tense. Shoot at sight orders have been issued with more than 400 villages affected. Many houses and huts in the villages were torched by hooligans. The Assam police claimed that special peace committees have been formed to talk to people.

Curfew has been imposed in Kokrajhar from 6 am to 6 pm. The exact reason behind the violence is yet to be ascertained with land encroachment problems understood to be a cause for triggering the issue to such a massive proportion. The incident were four people were hacked to death in a village called Joypur on Friday is believed to be the reason for the violence spreading.

OneIndia News