Assam on the edge: Militant attacks, adivasi retaliation claim 71 lives

Guwahati: With the death toll in the Assam carnage climbing to 71, sporadic incidents of retaliatory violence, protests and police firing rocked the state on Wednesday, forcing the neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh to warn citizens not to travel to Assam.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who is rushing to Assam to review the situation, decried the “cowardly” killings and said it was a “terror” act and will be dealt with accordingly. The Centre said it was rushing about 5,000 paramilitary personnel at the request of the Assam government.

Read: Violence spreads to Udalguri district

The problem started on Wednesday when hundreds of plantation workers armed with spears and bows and arrows tried to enter the Dhekiajuli police station with the bodies of five of those killed by NDFB rebels Tuesday in Sonitpur district, one of the worst hit in the violence. The plantation workers, also identified as “adivasi” in Assam, accused the police of failing to protect them from militants.

Read: Assam militant attack: Protesters stage rallies against killings

Some protesters set fire to shops and others blocked a railway line and roads. The police said they were forced to disperse the crowds. “They were trying to storm the police station, and we had no option but to open fire. As a result five protesters who got bullet injuries died,” the police said.

This was followed by incidents of arson and violence in the district, where hundreds of plantation workers left their homes. The angry plantation workers also narrated how NDFB rebels had come dressed in Army uniforms and asked for water before opening fire on the villagers on Tuesday.

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