Farmer activist immolates himself in Assam

A farmer activist died after setting himself ablaze today to demand land deeds for people living on the hills here, triggering protests and road and rail blockades in various parts of the state.
Pranab Boro, 45, poured petrol and set himself on fire before the state secretariat during an agitation organised by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS).
"Doctors tried to save his life. Boro died at 4:28 pm. He suffered 100 per cent burn injuries," Hospital Superintendent Ramen Talukdar told PTI here.
The immolation, a first among Assam's farmers, sparked widespread protests and road and rail blockades in various parts of the state.

On being contacted, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) A P Rout said, "Road blockades are going on at some places in Golaghat and Sivasagar and rail blockade in Jorhat. We are taking action and clearing the blockades now."
The National Highway-37 was blocked at numerous places, including at Koliapani in Jorhat district and Gaurisagar in Sivasagar district with the police picking up 10 protesters.

The police detained another 50 KMSS activists from Jorhat, Golaghat and Guwahati.
Protests were also reported from Morigaon and Sonitpur districts where railway tracks were blocked.
The KMSS had organised the protest in view to disrupt a government programme to distribute land ownership certificates at the Sankardeva Kalakshetra here.