Indefinite night curfew along Assam-Meghalaya in Goalpara district

Guwahati/Goalpara, Nov 4: Indefinite night curfew was today clamped along the Assam-Meghalaya border in Goalpara district and army and police were patrolling Gendamari area where seven persons were gunned down and 10 others seriously injured by suspected GNLA ultra.

The night curfew would be in force from 7 PM to 6 AM within two km inside Assam from the inter-state border to prevent untoward incidents, district Deputy Commissioner Pritam Saikia told PTI.

National Highway 62 between Damra in Assam and Dalu in Meghalaya as well as NH 51 between Paikan here and Dalu along with Khargang-Resubelpara road were exempted from the purview of the curfew, Saikia said.

Army along with police was patrolling the violence-hit area to prevent further eruption of trouble, he said. Suspected Garo National Liberation Army insurgents from Meghalaya indiscriminately fired from automatic weapons upon a group of people gambling on the occasion of Diwali at remote Gendamari, killing six on the spot.

Another person succumbed to injuries on way to hospital while 10 others were seriously wounded. Meanwhile, government has announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs six lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured.

Goalpara district has been witnessing violence since October 20 last with protests against the upcoming Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections between November 13 and 25 demanding exclusion of non Rabha areas from the Council. Sources ruled out that last night's incident was connected with the Council elections.

Proscribed GNLA based in the Garo hills jungles of Meghalaya, adjacent to Goalpara district, has been fighting for a separate state since 2009 indulging in killings, attacks on security forces and civilians, blasts, kidnappings and extortions.

PTI