Assam ethnic strife: Fresh violence in Baksa, death toll 41

Kokrajhar (Assam), Jul 26: One more person was killed in police firing during clashes between minority immigrants and Bodos in lower Assam's Dhubri district even as fresh violence in Baksa district left four persons seriously injured today.

Indefinite curfew and shoot-at-sight orders continued in worst-affected Kokrajhar district where 25 persons have lost their lives while night curfew is on in Chirang, which accounted for 15 deaths, and Dhubri where one person was killed.

IGP (Law & Order) LR Bishnoi said today that one person was killed in police firing during the violence between two warring groups in Dhubri district last night to take the death toll in the ethnic strife to 41.

In Baksa district, neighbouring strife-torn Chirang, four persons were seriously injured in the wee hours when some persons opened fired at Musolpur.

Official sources said the incident might be a fall-out of the raging violence which has gripped lower Assam.

More than two lakh people are taking shelter in relief camps while 11 are still missing.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is scheduled to visit the affected areas later in the day.

PTI