Agitators block national highway in Assam, 1,000 arrested

Over 1,000 agitators were arrested on Wednesday at Boko in Kamrup Rural district near Rangiya after they blocked the National Highway 37 to protest against illegal encroachment of land in Assam by people from neighbouring Meghalaya.

The agitators, under the banner of Asom-Meghalaya Border Suraksha Manch, blocked the highway for over two hours demanding action against encroachers from Meghalaya who have allegedly built a school, a martrys' tomb and an outpost at Nampi locality in the territory belonging to Assam. 

Sub Divisional Commissioner of Boko NC Basumatari rushed to the spot with a large contingent of police. The agitators were arrested from the spot and normal traffic resumed on the national highway.

Locals alleged that the authorities have turned a blind eye to the encrochment from the neighbouring state.