Curfew relaxed in Assam, 100 people detained

Guwahati, Aug 17 (IANS) Curfew was Friday partially lifted in Assam's Rangiya sub-division of Kamrup (Rural) district and 100 people have been picked up for violence, police said. There were no reports of fresh violence during the past 24 hours.

"Curfew has been relaxed in Rangiya from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The situation is totally under control," L.R. Bishnoi, inspector general of police (law & order), told IANS.

He, however, said that night curfew would continue in the sub-division to prevent unwanted elements of taking advantage of the situation.

"Security forces would continue to keep a strict vigil in Rangiya and other adjoining areas, as also in riot-hit areas of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Baksa districts," Bishnoi said.

He said 100-odd people have been picked up in connection with torching of seven vehicles, including a bus going to Guwahati at Bhatkuchi on National Highway No.31, and also burning of a wooden bridge under Kekahati police station, police said.

Thursday's violence in Rangiya was retaliatory for the Wednesday night incident when a car was set ablaze at Gandhibari in Baska district and its driver, Sahidul Hussain, reportedly went missing.

On Thursday, police were forced to fire rubber bullets at Tamulpur area in Baksa district to disperse a violent mob that made attempts to break into the Tamulpur Police Station.