Assam police firing leaves 2 dead

GUWAHATI: Two persons were killed and eight injured in Assam’s Golaghat district on Wednesday when police opened fire on people protesting against Tuesday’s police action on picketers who tried to enforce an economic blockade of Nagaland. The administration imposed indefinite curfew in Golaghat town.

Assam DG (Law and Order) AP Raut told HT that police was compelled to open fire on an unruly mob in Golaghat as police and para military forces were targeted by the violent protesters.

“An unruly mob with spears, bows and arrows moved towards Goalgaht town and targeted police and vital offices. Police first resorted to lathi charge, fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the mob. Despite police’s action, the unruly mob attacked police which compelled them to open fire,” said Raut.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the situation in Golaghat district further deteriorated following intense police-public clashes.

Raut said that at many places in the district, several organisations carried out protest, some of which turned violent. Four trucks — all Nagaland bound, were set ablaze, one police vehicle was torched and a CRPF vehicle was damaged by protestors near Numaligarh area. Protesters blocked NH 37 and 39 which connects Assam’s Golaghat district with Nagaland.

The economic blockade was carried out against Nagaland in protest against the attack, allegedly by the NSCN (IM) cadres on Assam villages at sector B and C in Golaghat district along the border of the two states on August 12. JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO INCIDENT: CM

GUWAHATI: Meanwhile, Assam CM Tarun Gogoi said the government would institute a judicial inquiry by a retired judge of the Guahati high court.