NEW DELHI, Jan 20: Clashes erupted between Bodos and tribals in Kokrajhar district in Assam on Tuesday following mob violence in which one person was killed. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed and internet/mobile data services were suspended temporarily in two districts, officials said.
The Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said arrangements were in place to deploy the army while the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was already on the ground. Mr Sarma said internet/mobile data services have been suspended in Kokrajhar and neighbouring Chirang district. He appealed to the people to maintain peace and help the government in ensuring that peace returns to the district at the earliest.
The chief minister, who is currently in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet, said in a post on X that he was in constant touch with senior officials of the state government and district administration to ensure that the situation returns to normal soon. He also appealed to leaders of political parties and civil society to give their full cooperation in bringing normalcy to the district.
Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, along with senior police officials, has rushed to Kokrajhar. The trouble started after a vehicle carrying three Bodos struck two tribals on Mansingh Road, near the Karigaon outpost under the Kokrajhar police station on Monday night leading to the tribal villagers beating up the Bodos and their vehicle torched.
On Tuesday the situation flared as both the Bodo and the tribal communities blocked the National Highway adjacent to Karigaon outpost. They burned tyres and a few houses, set a government office ablaze, and attacked the Karigaon police outpost, home department officials said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
