Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, two of the most disturbed districts of Assam seem to be limping back to normalcy.
The district administration of Tinsukia has placed the entire district under night curfew from 5 pm to 5 am for the second day in a row. In neighbouring Dibrugarh district, the administration relaxed curfew for 5 hours from 8 am to 1 pm.
But what is now emerging to be the bigger concern is about the plight of the stranded passengers, as several trains have been cancelled in the last four days. Ensuring enough supply of essential items has become a major worry.
Stranded Passengers, Scarcity of Essential Supplies
Passengers those who have arrived and those who have to board long distance trains are left with no option but to sleep on platforms in this bitter cold. But as we say, every story has a positive to it, people from across the spectrum, across religions are coming forward to help these stranded passengers with food, and milk and biscuits for the children.
However, with a curfew in place, scarcity of essential commodities is fast becoming a major cause of worry. People of Tinsukia were seen thronging the vegetable markets when curfew was relaxed.
Prices have sky-rocketed, potatoes and onions the two most indispensable vegetables disappearing from most markets. Small shops have already run out of supplies. Fuel is fast becoming another scarce commodity.
The supply of both, fuel and essential commodities, have been hit badly in the eastern districts of the neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh, which largely depends on the Tinsukia market.
Some incidents of vandalism and arson were reported on Friday from Dibrugarh. A scorpio was set ablaze on national highway No 37 near Dibrugarh University in Dibrugarh district following which police had to resort to blank firing to disperse the protestors.
According to reports one person succumbed to his injuries after he was injured in police lathi charge. However, both the district administration and the police have denied the reports.
Schools have been shut till 22 December. Flights remained cancelled on Friday and all modes of transportation remained suspended.
All flights to and from Mohanbari airport which caters to Upper Assam and Eastern Arunachal passengers stands cancelled on Saturday. Protesters said that they will continue peaceful protest against the unconstitutional Act, and won't accept it at any cost.
(Published in an arrangement with EastMojo)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)