An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Maulgram, Silchar, a border town in Assam, following a stone-pelting incident, instigated by communal violence between two religious groups.
In an order issued to this effect on August 3rd, 2020, the District Magistrate, Keerthi Jalli, said apprehending breach of peace and tranquillity, curfew has been promulgated ‘prohibiting the total movement of persons’ in areas under Malugram Police Outpost of Silchar town with immediate effect.
He has issued the curfew in areas under Malugram police outpost of the town as due to the prevalence of sectarian tension. He said that there was a likelihood of breach of public peace and tranquillity. “Two groups indulged in pelting stones at each other at Ghoniwala area of Silchar town on Sunday evening. Assam Police, CRPF and other security personnel rushed to the area of the incident and brought the situation under control,” the DM said. However, the order allows the operation of magistrates on duty, police, military and paramilitary forces, health functionaries, including doctors and paramedics.
The police are investigating this issue, and have found that the shops belonging to both groups had been vandalised. The authorities fanned out security personnel across localities to thwart any untoward incident. It was reported that the riots had broken out after people had put up posters of the Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan, slated to happen on August 5.