Army has been deployed in West Anglong district of Assam on Wednesday, December 24, to maintain law and order after two days of violence, demanding eviction of encroachers in the districts. Director General of Police Harmeet Singh said the Army columns have reached the violence-hit areas.
Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, while announcing the deployment of Army, also appealed to the people top not indulge in violence.
Speaking to reporters at the worst-hit Kheroni area, Singh appealed to the people not to indulge in violence and asked community elders to make "misguided" youths understand that problems can be solved only through dialogue.
“Army columns have reached here, and they have marched through these areas. The situation is totally under control now,” he said.
Police are investigating the violence that happened over the last two days, said Singh, who has been camping at the site since Monday night. “We will arrest the culprits. Let the situation stabilise first,” he added, as he warned of legal action.
“Legal action required will be taken. We have a lot of video footage, and people are being identified. The law will take its own course,” he said.
At least two people were killed and more than 70 were injured in violence that rocked West Karbi Anglong district.
“By now, we have counted that more than 60 police personnel have been injured and some of them seriously. There were six-seven ambulances, which ferried the police to health centres in Hojai,” the DGP said.
Harmeet Singh was also injured in the violence.
"The Assam government has come forward and given time for a tripartite meeting between the state government, local council and the agitating people who are presenting their demands. I appeal to all not to indulge in violence, and request the parents to talk to their children and ask them not to resort to violence," he said.
Agitators from the Karbi community had been on a hunger strike for the last 15 days, demanding the eviction of alleged illegal settlers, who mostly hail from Bihar, from Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands in tribal belts.
They went on a rampage on Monday after police took away three agitators from the protest site in the early hours, a move which the administration later claimed was for their hospitalisation.
(With inputs from agency)
