Curfew in Assam's Golaghat District relaxed for six hours

Curfew has been relaxed for six hours in Assam's Golaghat District, which witnessed days of violence between people from Nagaland and Assam.

Vikram Chand, a local resident, told ANI, "It has been opened from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is also mentioned in newspapers that the curfew has been relaxed. Officials have gone to Guwahati to have talks".

Another local said, "It is very difficult for us. We request the government to solve the problems at the earliest. Such problem has never arisen in Golaghat earlier. It is the first time that such a thing has happened".

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju yesterday said that seeing the rising tension in Golaghat District, a joint mechanism had been worked out between the Assam and Nagaland Governments to prevent such incidents in the future.

Rijiju said that officers of both states will meet frequently at pre-designated places to see that such misunderstandings do not get carried forward.

He also said that both Chief Ministers -Tarun Gogoi of Assam and T.R. Zeliang of Nagaland have agreed to restore normalcy on each side.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had also called for peace in Assam in the light of the recent unrest in Golaghat District that has so far claimed 18 lives.

He also said that if necessary, the Government of India should also step in.

Locals in the affected regions, who were living under uncertainty and insecurity due to the periodic clashes, are now hoping for some peace after the relaxation of curfew.