12 killed in Guwahati violence (Second lead: Guwahati violence)

At least 12 people were killed on Saturday after a rally of Adivasi Students Union (ASU) turned violent here.

Guwahati, Nov 24 : At least 12 people were killed on Saturday after a rally of Adivasi Students Union (ASU) turned violent here.

Another 100 people have been injured in the incident. According to State Principal Secretary (Home) Subhas Das, 60 of the injured were hospitalised.

Indefinite curfew has been imposed in parts of Guwahati and army has been deployed.

ASU members demanding the Scheduled Tribe status after holding a rally at Beltola, tried to march towards the State Assembly at Dispur. On being stopped by the police, the students turned violent and attacked and injured a magistrate.

Thousands of students, armed with bows and arrows, destroyed private property and set several vehicles on fire.

According to eyewitnesses, the area from Dispur to Bashista was turned into "battleground".

The locals furious at their property being attacked, also clashed with the students resulting in several being injured from both sides, officials said.

"We were pulling down the shutters of our shop when they came and attacked us. They even clashed with the police and damaged police vehicles," said Subhojit, an eyewitness.

Newspersons were not being allowed to get near to the troubled areas.

ANI