Assam's Golaghat under curfew; death toll in Naga attacks touches 5

Amid continuing unrest along the Nagaland border, Assam has announced an indefinite curfew in Golaghat district from 6.00 pm till 6.00 am.

Security forces on Friday arrested three arsonists red-handed when they allegedly tried torching some abandoned houses in Chetiagaon. Three additional CRPF companies have been fanning out across the affected areas to thwart attempts to unleash terror. Officials said the CRPF has set up eight new pickets in the affected areas, while the Central Paramilitary has also maintains a control room jointly with Assam and Nagaland police.

Meanwhile, the bullet-ridden bodies of Joku Tirki and Jiten Kharku were found in Kemphur and Xukanjan villages respectively in the B Sector of Golaghat district Thursday evening. With the discovery of bodies, the death count in the violence has climbed to five.

Attacks by armed militants on eight villages of Uriamghat area has also left three injured and about 200 houses have been burnt down. Nearly 10,000 people from the villages have fled their homes and are sheltered at ten relief camps.

Though there has not been escalation of violence, locals claimed to have spotted armed Naga militants in several places.

Officials said local people have attacked a vehicle they were using to announce the curfew. Though the vehicle was toppled, they escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, BJP Assam unit has blamed the Tarun Gogoi government for the unrest in the Nagaland border and demanded deployment of security personnel to curb lawlessness.