Army called in as Assam town remains tense, curfew in place

SILCHAR: A day after clashes broke out after passersby reportedly pelted stones at people offering Friday prayers on a busy road in Assam’s Hailakandi, the curfew-bound town remained tense on Saturday. The Army has been called in to maintain peace, the curfew extended for a day and internet services suspended across the Barak Valley.
On Friday, prayers had been organized on a road near the Puran Masjid, a busy road. Locals complained it had led to traffic congestion and some started pelting stones at those offering prayers. As the situation escalated, police and CRPF stepped in to bring the situation under control. Violence erupted in other parts of the town, a youth was killed and 15 were injured.
A law and order review meeting was held at deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli’s conference hall here on Saturday “It wasn’t a communal clash. A few miscreants didthis,” Jalli said, adding, “We appeal to the people to not spread rumours. The administration is doing everything to maintain peace.”