Facebook post triggers communal clash in Assam

GUWAHATI: Curfew was clamped at Doomdooma, Borapjan and Longsowal areas in Tinsukia district of Assam in the wake of eruption of communal clash between two communities in which at least 15 persons were injured while police had to fire tear gas shells to control near Borhapjan old market on Friday morning.
The clash erupted between two communities after a derogatory Facebook post regarding a ritual of one of the communities went viral in the social media at Borhapjan area.
Following the incident, Tinsukia district administration imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 in Doomdooma, Longswal and Borhapjan areas.
It all started with a minor scuffle between the members of two communities on Thursday evening at Dr Rajendra Prasad Road in Doomdooma town. However, local elders prevailed upon the clashing groups to control the situation.
On Friday morning angry protesters of the aggrieved community took out a procession from Doomdooma to Borhapjan demanding the arrest of the culprit who made the derogatory post in the Facebook.
The protest rally was attacked by the members of the other community at Borhapjan old market and the area turned into a battle ground.
A huge contingent of police and CRPF personnel rushed to the spot to control the mob violence. As the tension continued to grip the area, the district administration imposed curfew later in the day.