Karbi Anglong: 70-Year Woman among Those Injured after Police Blank Firing to Control Mob

Diphu, March 12, 2020:

The situation turned grim in Assam's Karbi Anglong district when locals turned violent during welfare distribution in Diphu; subsequently, police had to resort to tear gas shelling and black fire to control the situation. Several of the agitators have been reportedly injured in the ensuing scuffle. Kareng Inghipi, a 70-year-old woman is among those who have been injured.

It may be mentioned that that situation unfolded during the distribution of GI tins to the needy under the Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes scheme (WPT/BCS), initiated after a nod of assent from the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) CEM, Tuliram Ronghang.

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However, things took a turn for the worse when the authorities announced that they would only be given the GI tins on a later date. This caused an outcry and led to chaos, as the locals who were irate at having to wait for such a long time, felt that they were being duped. This led to an outbreak of violence.

In order to calm the chaos/situation the Karbi Anglong police shot blank fire and tear gas so the concerned villagers in fear rushed each other - many of them got injured including a 70-year-old women named Kareng Inghipi. The elderly lady got caught up in the violence and was severely injured. She was later taken to the Diphu civil hospital for treatment on Tuesday.

"The reason for the aditation is that they would be given the GI tins; however, later they were told that they would not be given the tins. Lots of people have come from far. This is a congested area, and I blame this on a lack of planning", a local policeman told the media.

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