Nov. 27: Aftershocks of the mob mayhem in Guwahati coursed through Assam for the fourth consecutive day today with Adivasi protesters attacking and being attacked in at least three places.

Though rallies and demonstrations began since early morning in most districts on the second day of the 36-hour bandh today, it took a nasty turn in Sonitpur when Adivasi protesters began attacking shops.

Ironically, one hardware shop ransacked by the picketers was bang opposite Bebejia police outpost in Balipukhuri Tiniali.

Local youths refused to wait for the police to act and began beating up the protesters. Most of the picketers fled, leaving behind their cycles. “A few bicycles left behind by the picketers were set on fire,” Sonitpur deputy commissioner Kamal Goswami said.

The injured have been admitted to Sonitpur Civil Hospital. The condition of two has been stated to be critical.

Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed in the area following the incident. The army has been kept on standby.

The deputy commissioner said thousands of Adivasi activists hit the streets in separate groups in different parts of the district to enforce the bandh called by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam in protest against Saturday’s incident.

Shops and business establishments in Sonitpur town remained open yesterday, but were closed today following a directive from the North Assam Chambers of Commerce.

Forty-seven picketers have been arrested from various parts of district. The Assam Tea Tribes Students Association president of Sonitpur, Krishna Tanti, said nearly 90 per cent tea garden labour community had come out to enforce the bandh in the district. “The entire tea garden community, irrespective of political affiliation, has united to raise in protest against the Guwahati incident,” he said.

Picketers in Baksa district damaged a Tata Sumo on the the Indo-Bhutan but the travellers managed to escape.

In Upper Assam, there were no major reports of violence apart from a few motorcycles being damaged.

The attacks resumed again in the evening when Adivasi protesters attacked two Oil India Limited (OIL) workers at Rangamati under Tengakhat police station in Dibrugarh, even though they had ventured out after 5pm — when the bandh officially got over.

A few yards away, labourers of Sealkopee tea estate attacked the bungalow of an executive of the garden, Pinku Neog. He and his family, however, escaped unhurt.

Adivasis in the rest of Assam restricted their protest to rallies. Police, however, had to use teargas to disperse a 6,000-strong mob from Choibari and Krishnakali tea gardens in Dhubri district.

The protesters burnt effigies of chief minister Tarun Gogoi and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Bhagatgaon and blocked National Highway 31 at Rowmari for three hours.

The Santhali Students’ Union has called a 12-hour Assam bandh tomorrow in protest against Saturday’s incident. The Assam Tea Tribes Students Association has called a meeting of all organisations, including political parties and the Asam Sahitya Sabha, at the Assam Tea Tribe Welfare Board conference hall in Guwahati on Friday.