Road Blocked and Truck Torched in Assam, India

The people of the Karbi tribe are demanding an autonomous state in India’s Assam region.

And to push for their cause, they called for a road closure on National Highway 39.

But the first day of the shutdown was marred with sporadic incidents of violence.

The supporters blocked the highway by bringing down trees onto the road and then they torched a truck carrying pigs.

[Balbir Singh, Police Inspector]:
"Around 4 o’clock in the evening, the truck was released after clearing the check point and once it reached here, the miscreants came out of hiding, detained the truck and set it on fire."

The driver and his passenger managed to escape unhurt.

Traffic on the highway, which connects Assam to Nagaland, has now come to a standstill.

But further violent incidents are expected if the shutdown call is ignored.