SILCHAR: Clashes between protesters and security forces marked a 12-hour strike Saturday over state govt’s decision to rename southern Assam’s Karimganj district to Sribhumi, leaving at least 15 people, including five policemen, injured and nearly 150 in custody, reports BB Goswami. Shops, schools, offices, and transport shut across Sribhumi town and adjoining areas in the district bordering Bangladesh. Protesters defied restrictions and held demonstrations outside the district magistrate’s office, demanding immediate withdrawal of the name change, which took effect last Nov.”This shutdown is the people’s cry of anguish,” a strike supporter said, alleging govt had refused to engage or reconsider despite sustained protests since Feb.Violence flared near Sribhumi’s head post office, where bandh supporters clashed with anti-strike groups, injuring four protesters. Sporadic confrontations across the district left more than a dozen hurt, police sources said. “Administration is alert and maintaining strict vigil,” an official said, amid intensified patrolling in sensitive zones.At Badarpur Nabinchandra College, students enforcing the shutdown blocked NH-37, set tyres ablaze, and halted traffic. Police intervention triggered a scuffle, during which protesters allegedly hurled stones at security personnel and reporters. A lathi-charge followed, injuring several students. Deputy commissioner Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi and SP Partha Pratim Das rushed to the college and other flashpoints to restore order.
