Four killed in Tawang police firing

Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, May 2

At least four persons were killed and several others injured when the police opened fire to control protesters who turned violent near a police station at frontier monastery town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh this afternoon.

The Army has been put on standby even as tension ran high in the monastery town. An Army brigade is currently based in Tawang.

The protesters were demanding the release of a man held on charges of circulating an objectionable audio clip questioning the nationality of Tawang Monastery abbot Guru Tulku Rimpoche.

A source in the administration said hundreds of protesters took to the streets in the town and tried to lay siege to the police station demanding the release of Lama Lobsang Gyatso, who was arrested on April 28. Gyatso is the secretary of Save Mon Regional Federation (SMRF) and has been opposing the construction of hydro-power dams in the region.

The source said the protesters took to the streets in violation of Section 144 of the CrPC imposed in the town. The protesters tried to set the police station on fire forcing the police to open fire. At least four persons, including a woman, were killed at the police action. Lama Gyatso was reportedly released after the incident.

On Sunday, a public meeting followed by a rally was organised at the Parade Ground to protest the remarks made by Lama Gyatso regarding the nationality of the abbot. More than 5,000 people had taken part in the rally under the watchful eye of the police and administration. The rally was organised by Zila Parishad chairperson Jambey Tsering, the source said.