KOKRAJHAR, July 21 � Tension prevailed here as indefinite curfew was imposed in Kokrajhar town following sporadic group violence since last night left at least nine persons dead in Kokrajhar district.
The sporadic violence rattled the law-and-order situation in the district with the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Hagrama Mohilary appealing Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for enhanced security force at the vulnerable areas of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) where the communities are at a minority.
Addressing a press conference here, Mohilary claimed that the group clashes in some places are political conspiracies to unsettle the bond between the two communities. He also appealed to maintain brotherhood and peace.
The violence began following the lynching of four youths by some miscreants at Joypur under Kokrajhar Police Station last night at about 8.30 pm. The retaliatory incidents this morning were reported from Duramari and Narabari under Kokrajhar Police Station and Kodaldoha under Fakiragram Police Station.
The Kokrajhar district administration also promulgated Section 144 CrPC throughout the district.
Talking to this Correspondent, SN Sing, IGP, BTAD said that of the additional nine companies of CRPF being deployed in the BTAD, five were deployed in Kokrajhar district alone. He added that although it is difficult to provide man-to-man security to prevent sporadic violence, the security measures have been beefed up. Besides enhancement of security at every level, vigil and patrolling have been intensified at all the vulnerable areas, he added.
Sing also addressed a high level meeting with the officials of the district police, administration, paramilitary and army officials to tighten security in the district to prevent deterioration of the situation.
It may be mentioned here that, according to police sources, last night around 8.30 pm four Bodo youths were coming from Bhatipara in two motor bikes on the way at Joypur under Kokrajhar Police station when unidentified miscreants attacked them with sharp weapons killing all the four youths on the spot. The dead have been identified as Pradip Boro (32), Jwngshar Boro (36), Nip Goyari (25) and Jamin Goyari (24).
In the retaliatory attack, this morning some unknown miscreants opened fire indiscriminately at Duramari village under Kokrajhar Police Station killing one Sahadad Ali (60) on the spot and injuring Hafijuddin Sk (10), Ahad Ali (13), Kadija Bibi (36), Monjira Begum (20) and Fulija Begam (12). In another incident, armed miscreants shot at Abdul Rezzak (35) at Kodaldoha village under Fakiragram Police Station.
Miscreants also killed a menial labour Jakir Hussain (22) at Narabari under Kokrajhar Police Station today morning at about 6.30 am, police sources said.
In a fresh violence reported at Paroura village under Fakiragram Police station, three youths were killed by lethal weapons by miscreants at about 4.30.pm today. Several houses have also reportedly burnt at various places.
All the injured persons were admitted to the RNB Civil Hospital of Kokrajhar. The critically injured ones were shifted to GMCH for further treatment.
Cabinet Minister Chandan Brahma today visited Kokrajhar and took stock of the situation. He also held meetings with top civil and police officials of the district and appealed for maintaining peace and harmony in the area.
Meanwhile, people of Kokrajhar this morning took out a procession carrying the bodies of the four youths killed last night. Chandan Brahma, PR Brahma, MLA, Derhasat Basumatary, EM, BTC, MK Brahma, EM, BTC and other top leaders of BPF were present there.
Meanwhile several political and non political organizations have strongly condemned the incidents and appealed for maintaining peace.
