GUWAHATI, April 16 – No fresh incident of violence has been reported from any part of the ethnic riot hit North Cachar Hills and Cachar districts in the last 72 hours, said the Inspector Geneal of Police (Special Branch) Sri Khagen Sharma. Talking to this correspondent here this evening, Sri Sharma said that additional forces – two companies to Cachar district and four companies to NC Hills were rushed to bring normalcy. The paramilitary forces have also been redeployed to deal with the situation.
Sri Sharma said that the situation in the riot-hit districts is fast returning to normal and peace marches, participated by all communities of people, were brought out in both the districts today. He revealed that curfew in NC Hills was relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm today and no untoward incident was reported during the period. He said other confidence building measures are also being taken to instil confidence in the minds of the people.
However, Sri Sharma admitted that the people displaced by the ethnic riots between the Dimasa and Hmar communities are yet to return to their respective villages. He revealed that security forces would have to be mobilised properly and some static posts of security forces would have to be set up before the persons displaced are sent back to their respective villages.
Our Haflong correspondent adds: The week-long curfew in North Cachar Hills district was lifted today with the district slowly limping back to normal. However, night curfew was to stay from 6 pm to 6 am. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is scheduled to hold a meeting with tribal leaders at the Circuit House tomorrow to discuss the situation and ensure peace in the region.
Though the situation is gradually turning normal, schools have not been re-opened as yet. Meanwhile, the district administration is taking steps to bring down the price level of essential commodities that soared during the violence-hit period.