DOOMDOOMA, April 12 - Simmering tension prevails in Tinsukia district following yesterday�s Pengeree incident even as curfew has been imposed for an indefinite period in the Pengeree Police Station area. Several tea tribe organisations, including Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), observed a 24-hour bandh across Tinsukia district today staging a protest against the Monday�s incident at Pengeree.
Thousands of tea tribe people came out and blocked the NH-37 and NH-38 at several places of the district and damaged vehicles. In many places, the bandh supporters reportedly clashed with local businessmen and the common people affecting the festive spirit of Rongali Bihu. The tea gardens of Doomdooma circle also remained closed today.
The State Forest Minister, Atuwa Munda, visited Pengeree to take stock of the situation. The Chief Minister on Monday announced a judicial inquiry into the incident where 11 people lost their lives. He also declared an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to those who lost their lives in the incident and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. Various organisations and individuals have condemned the incident.
The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families on Tuesday evening.
