Title - Violence in Karbi Anglong continues

Violence in Karbi Anglong continues
Correspondent
DIPHU, Aug 1 – Violence over the demand for a separate state continued for the second day today, spreading to newer areas of the district. Since morning, angry protesters went on the rampage in different parts of Diphu town, especially targetting government offices.
Violence continued unabated despite the indefinite curfew in force here since yesterday after protagonists of a separate hill state took to the streets and turned violent following approval to creation of a separate Telangana state by the Congress Working Committee.

As per reports, angry protesters set on fire satellite dishes of the All India Radio (AIR) centre halting broadcast and relay. They also torched a waiting room of the AIR and a Maruti van parked in front of the radio centre. Important documents were lost when a forest office and the Rangsina Bhaban of the Diphu Sahitya Sabha were burnt down by the protesters.

Four government offices and a truck of the forest department were set on fire at Dongkamukam under Hamren subdivision.

In Bokajan subdivision too protesters badly damaged several government offices. According to reports received here, a PWD inspection bungalow, a health sub-centre, an SSA office and a handloom and textile office were burnt down at Harihajan, Hidipi and Bokajan. Important official documents were reported lost in the incidents.

An irrigation department inspection bungalow and a PWD IB were set on fire at Dengaon and Phuloni under Howraghat LAC.

In Diphu Matipung area, police had to fire several rounds to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the agitating student, civic and political and non-political organisations have appealed to the public representatives to resign from their respective portfolios immediately and join the mass movement for a separate state.

The organisations also threatened to intensify their agitation if their demand went unheeded.

PTI adds: A portion of the railway tracks of the Diphu-Dimapur line was removed at a place between Doldoli and Dhansiri, official sources said.

A 22-year-old college student, Rahul Signa, who was injured in police firing, when he was locking up his father’s shop after violence broke out yesterday, died of his injuries late last night, the source said.