Protests continue, Assam Nagaland National Highway blocked

TIR, Guwahati, 21 August 2014: The violence along the Assam – Nagaland state border has been turning violent day after day, with no substantial action whatsoever by the state government. There has been no breakthrough yet in the violence along the Assam-Nagaland border, and the situation is reportedly worsening as the students of the Assamese Adivasi community have blocked the National Highway No. 36, the Assam – Nagaland Highway, in protest.

The Army’s help has been sought to control the situation. However, there have been no reports so far of the situation being under control. Reports indicate that around three people had been killed while six were left injured in the clashes on Wednesday when a mob tried to set ablaze the deputy commissioner’s office and a police station and targeted a hospital, after which indefinite curfew was clamped in the areas.

Earlier, too, nine people from Nagaland were allegedly killed by armed groups in Assam last week. Reports suggest that the Mob had been protesting against the police action at Rangajon on Tuesday, where people had been allegedly pulled out of their homes and beaten up. No reasons have been cited for the police’s action so far.

Furthermore, the rubber pellets that had been fired injured 22 persons. Protests were also against the alleged failure of the state government to protect people living on Assam-Nagaland border at Uriamghat against the attack by alleged miscreants from Nagaland killing nine persons and rendering over 10,000 homeless on August 12.

Seeking immediate intervention, Opposition Asom Gana Parishad on Wednesday had sent letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh. They have also called for a 12-hour Assam bandh on Thursday in protest against the police brutality. Though essential services have been exempted from the Bandh’s purview.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also sought a report from the Home Ministry on the ongoing clashes.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju is set to meet the Chief Ministers of the two states of Nagaland and Assam. The Assam State government has particularly hit out at the government at the centre for lack of interest and action in the events taking place along the Assam – Nagaland State border. However, Rijiju has termed the allegations baseless and false.