Fresh round of violence in Assam, locals block NH-31

Betoli (Assam), Aug 7 (ANI): The locals blocked National Highway 31 on the Kokrajhar-Dhubri border here on Tuesday, in protest of the fresh round of ethnic violence that has claimed for lives, taking the overall toll to 65.

A group of over 500 people blocked the highway, protesting the killing of three people, allegedly belonging to the minority community.

The three were killed in Kokrajhar district when some people opened fire on a group at Ranibuli village recently. Two people were injured in the incident.

The two injured were rushed to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.

Assam IGP (Law and Order) L.R. Bishnoi said the dead belong to Lakhiganj in Dhubri district.

Indefinite curfew has been reimposed in Kokrajhar district while round-the-clock curfew continues in neighbouring Chirang district where one more body was found early Tuesday morning.

The body was recovered from a field in Rajapara area, senior police officials said.

A few houses were burnt down in Chirang but the timely action of police prevented any major violence on Monday night, Bishnoi said. A person has been arrested in this connection.

"Security arrangements are in place to ensure that no more untoward incidents occur," Assam Police IGP (Bodoland Territorial Area Districts) S.N. Singh said on Tuesday.

The army continued flag marches on Tuesday morning in the three districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri, hit by clashes between Bodo tribals and the minority community. (ANI)