Communal clash in Assam, 15 hurt

Guwahati: The state administration on Friday clamped curfew in Southern Assam’s Hailakandi following a scuffle between two communities over offering Namaz on the road near a Mosque at Marwari Patty.

Informing that tension was prevailing in the area after some miscreants damaged the leather seats of a large number of motorbikes of youths who went to offer Namaz at the mosque few days back, security sources said that some local leaders suspected and alleged that it was an act of Hindus, as Marwaripatty is a Hindu- dominated area.

Pointing out that some people have also been spreading this incident on social media with various derogatory and provocative remarks with video of damaged seats of motrobikes, security sources said that result of prevailing tension was that a large number of people turned up for Namaz on Friday at Marwari Patty mosque. The turn out was such that the mosque did not have sufficient space to accommodate all the devotees, security sources said, adding that devotees then decided to offer prayer on the road near the mosque. Pointing out that a number of youth, from a different community, obstructed them from blocking the road, which resulted in a brawl between them, security sources said that administration had sensed trouble so police and CRPF personnel were deployed in the area.

Asserting that security forces tried to defuse the situation but some hooligans in the crowd resorted to stone pelting, sources said that security forces opened blank fire to disperse the crowd.  

Police said that at least 15 people, including three constables, were injured in the violence and some vehicles and motorbikes were also damaged. Most of the shops and business establishments were closed. Sources in the state administration said that additional security forces have been rushed to Hailakandi from Silchar and Karimganj.

Meanwhile, the mosque management had filed a police complaint accusiung that on Friday afternoon, a group of youngsters allegedly began throwing stones at devotees who had assembled outside the mosque in Marwari Patty area to offer prayers.

A press release issued by the district authorities said that the prohibitory orders were issued in view of “grave risk to human life and property” if free movement of people was allowed.

“An emergency has arisen, necessitating immediate action to ensure speedy resumption of public order and tranquility. Therefore, considering the above facts and circumstances, section 144 of the CrPC (has been imposed) along with orders that nobody without a special permit can go about in public or leave their house within the limits of Hailakandi town with effect from 1:00 pm of 10th May, 2019,” the order signed by District Magistrate Keerthi Jalli stated.