The Army staged a flag march on May 12 in sensitive areas after communal Violence ensued between two communities in Hailakandi town of South Assam on May 10, over parking of two-wheelers at a mosque. The curfew which was to be in force till 7 am on May 13, has now been extended to 7 am on May 14.

As per reports, one person was killed and 14 others injured including 3 police constables. Some nearby shops and motorbikes were blazed during the clash between the two groups. The district administration had to seek the Army’s help in keeping the situation under control.

Trouble over parking space

The trouble started on the afternoon of May 10, when the bikes parked outside a mosque were severely damaged by some unidentified miscreants when people were offering namaaz inside the Mosque.

Infuriated with the act, the members of the mosque committee filed an FIR against unknown miscreants and demanded immediate action be taken. They further announced that they would offer Jumma namaaz on the road, as a protest, if the miscreants were not arrested.

“The other group tried to stop [them] and that led to an argument,” Mohneesh Mishra, Hailakandi’s police chief, had told Scroll.in.

Army staged flag march

The district administration immediately issued curfew in entire Hailakandi town and nearby areas. They also called additional security forces from Silchar and Karimganj, for preventing any untoward activity and to ensure peace and tranquillity in Hailakandi.

The curfew was later extended curfew for next 24 hours besides suspending Internet services on May 11, Saturday, and Army was called to stage a flag march in the sensitive areas of the district during the day. 

Keerthi Jalli, Deputy Commissioner of the town, said that the situation is under control at present. “We have extended all prohibitory orders by a day and suspended mobile Internet services to prevent the spread of hate or any kind of rumours,” she said. While internet services remained suspended in the entire Barak valley, relaxation in curfew was ordered in Hailakandi district between 12 noon and 3 pm on May 12, after no untoward incident was reported in last 24 hours. The indefinite curfew was implemented again which is to be in force till 7 am on May 14.

She also claimed that deployment of armed forces has been made at strategic locations for preventing any further clashes.

Also Read: Fearing Backlash, Centre Puts Notification To Give More Power To Assam Rifles On Hold