Assam clashes toll up 16

GUWAHATI: Police recovered nine more bodies in the violence-torn Assam districts of Udalguri and Darrang, taking the toll in the three-day clash between Bodos and illegal Bangladeshi migrants to 16.

“Sixteen people have been killed and about 50 wounded, some critically. Besides, about 20 villages have been affected. Around 200 houses were torched in the group clashes,” a police officer said on Sunday.

The clashes took place despite an indefinite curfew in the violence-hit areas. “We have asked security forces to take all possible steps to stop the violence and help restore calm in the area,” chief minister Tarun Gogoi said.

“Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued against perpetrators of violence,” he added.
Gogoi had suspended on Saturday the police chief of Udalguri and transferred the district magistrate for dereliction of duty. Violence broke out on Friday between the two communities in Rowta in Udalguri, near Guwahati. In the last two days, it spread to the adjoining district of Darrang.

“The situation is tense with miscreants setting ablaze about 50 houses overnight,” the police officer said.

Thousands of villagers have fled their homes and taken shelter in makeshift relief camps set up by the police.