GUWAHATI: Eight people were killed and 20 injured when police opened fire on protestors demanding village elections in north-eastern India, police said on Thursday.The incident occurred in Assam state when a call for a shutdown turned violent, a police spokesman said.

Protestors were trying to enforce a strike to press for their demand for elections in the area, which is run by an autonomous council of tribal people.

Tribal people fear the loss of their control if elections are held.

Soldiers were called in the state’s Goalpara district and a curfew was imposed to prevent further unrest, deputy inspector general of Assam police G.P Singh said.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...