Citizenship Act Row: Assam remains volatile, 3 killed in firing

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The overall situation in Assam continued to remain volatile for the second consecutive day on Thursday when three persons were killed in firing and several others injured in Guwahati and other parts of the State.

Thousands of other people were hitting the streets to show their anger and resentment against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB). People hit the streets despite massive security barricades put up by the Army, CRPF and the police across the State. Several people sustained injuries when the police resorted to lathi-charge, firing, and teargas shelling on the anti-CAB protestors. Besides the protestors, a section of other elements continued to involve themselves in vandalizing public property.

Official sources said the Army has staged flag march in several parts of the State, including Guwahati. The force has been kept standby to deal with the situation in case the law and order further deteriorates. Meanwhile, curfew has been clamped in Tinsukia, Jorhat, Dhekiajuli and Sonitpur.

Rattled by uninterrupted public protests, Dispur has reshuffled its police officers. The Centre has sent senior IPS officer GP Singh to take charge of law and order of the State immediately. A meeting of the Unified Command Structure held on Thursday thoroughly reviewed the law-and-order situation and drew strategies to pacify the protestors.

Train and air services in the State have been the worst affected due to the ongoing strikes. While operation of all local trains within the State has been cancelled, 13 outgoing flights to various destinations from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Borjhar were cancelled on Thursday. The Dibrugarh Airport has witnessed a complete shutdown and 178 passengers stranded at the airport were evacuated to Kolkata airport by a special aircraft.

The Home & Political department, which suspended internet service in several districts for 24 hours from 7 pm on Wednesday, further extended the suspension of the service for another 24 hours.

Deputy Commissioners in several districts declared closure of schools and colleges for the next two days in view of the volatile situation.

On other hand, the present situation against CAB has caused revolt in both the ruling BJP and AGP camps. While popular cine actor Jatin Bora has quit the BJP, former minister Gunin Hazarika left the AGP. The protestors also vandalized offices of the BJP and the RSS in different parts of the State. The leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia has written to Speaker of Assam Assembly Hitendra Nath Goswami to hold a special session of the House on the present situation in the State.

The Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad that represents over 5 lakh State Government employees has also decided to join the anti-CAB protests.

Also Read: Assam Burns over CAB: CM Sonowal appeals for peace

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