Hailakandi (Assam): A day after a communal clash broke out in Assam's Hailakandi district that left one person dead and 14 others injured, the army has been called in to maintain peace after curfew was clamped in the area.
Internet services continue to remain suspended in the district since Friday night.
Jashim Uddin, a young man who was allegedly injured when police opened fire to break up the clash, succumbed to his injuries on Friday evening at Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH).
Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MLA Parimal Suklabaidya visited Hussain's family in the district. He also reportedly apprised Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal about the situation after over a phone call after meeting district administration and police officials.
Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has ordered an inquiry into the incident by additional chief secretary Rajiv Bora and directed the administration to take strict action to quell violence. Sonowal also ordered Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Mukesh Agrawal to visit Hailakandi.
Also read: Curfew clamped in Assam's Hailakandi town, 15 injured
In a statement, Sonowal called on the people to maintain peace and harmony and promised strong action against perpetrators.
The curfew was clamped from 6 pm, shortly after the clash broke out, but was extended till 7 pm May 12.
Earlier, an indefinite curfew was enforced only in Hailakandi town from 1 pm following the clash.
In the lead-up to the clash, tension began when motorbikes owned by devotees were vandalised while they were praying inside a mosque. The motorbike owners lodged a first information report and demanded that the police take action against the accused and said that they will offer prayers on the road if an action was not taken.
Clashes broke out between members of two communities when a group of men assembled on a public road in the town and said that they will offer prayers on the street. The other group, allegedly tried to stop them, which led to an argument.
Meanwhile, locals have alleged the involvement of juniour ranking officers in the district police, who were responsible for the clash.
More than 15 vehicles were reportedly damaged and 12 shops were vandalised and set on fire in different parts of the town.
Police attempted to disperse the protestors by firing in the air in which 15 people were injured.
District Magistrate Keerthi Jalli in a statement said, "there is the apprehension of grave risk to human life and property if persons are allowed to move about freely.”
