Assam: RSS Naga peace process proposal sparks protests, 2 killed in police firing

Guwahati: At least two people were killed and six wounded in police firing after protestors turned violent in Dima Hasao district of Assam. The protests broke out after media reports alleged that a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader has proposed a draft for Nagaland peace process which showed that the district would go to the greater Nagalim demanded by NSCN (IM).

The district administration, fearing more violence, has clamped curfew in the district on Friday.

However, senior RSS leaders have denied moving or submitting any such proposal to the Centre.

The protestors had also called a 12-hour bandh on Thursday against the RSS leader and demanded an apology.

Thousands of people, who came out in support of bandh, blocked railway tracks at the Maibang station. They also stopped a Silchar-bound train and allegedly forced passengers to get down.

The protestors went on a rampage after the police charged them with batons, and damaged the vehicles of Deputy Commissioner of Police and Superintendent of Police. When they attempted to attack the security personnel, the police opened fire injuring at least eight protestors.

Among those injured in police firing, two protestors who were critically wounded –Mithun Dibrageda (27) and Prabanta Hakmaosa (17) – died on their way to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital on Friday.

The protestors belonging to three Dimasa organisations—Jdike Naiso Hosom, the Dimasa Students' Union and the Dimasa Mothers' Association have called on people to observe Friday as black day.

Meanwhile, additional police forces have been rushed to the district. The state administration on Friday claimed that situation was tense but under control.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has clarified that there is no such proposal and no area of Assam would be included in Nagaland.