No fresh incidents of violence were reported in Assam’s Kokrajhar district overnight or on Wednesday morning following recent communal unrest that claimed two lives — one Bodo and one Adivasi (Santhal). Officials said the situation remains under control.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been in effect across Kokrajhar district since Tuesday. As a precautionary measure, the state government has also temporarily suspended mobile internet services in Kokrajhar and neighbouring Chirang district.
To maintain law and order, four Army columns have been deployed in sensitive areas, along with personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Police. The Army conducted flag marches for the second consecutive day to instil confidence among residents.
The district administration has established four to five relief camps to accommodate people from both communities who fled their homes due to security concerns. Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh said adequate security arrangements have been made at the relief camps.
“We have taken several confidence-building measures and will hold a meeting today involving all stakeholders,” Singh told reporters, urging people not to fall prey to rumours. He warned that strict action would be taken against those spreading misinformation.
The violence was triggered by a road accident at Karigaon, around 30 km from Kokrajhar town, on Monday night. An Adivasi mob allegedly attacked three Bodo youths after their vehicle hit two Adivasi youths, resulting in the death of one Bodo youth. The vehicle was also set on fire. One of the injured Adivasi youths later succumbed to injuries, taking the death toll to two.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday when members of both communities blocked a National Highway, set fire to several houses, an office building, a designated camp of an Adivasi rebel group under peace mode, and attacked the Karigaon police outpost.
Police have arrested 18 people so far in connection with the violence.