New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS): With many parts of northeast Indian on the boil disrupting internet services across states, the Income Tax (I-T) department has extended the deadline for payment of advance tax there by 15 days to December 31.

The relaxation is for all the corporate and non-corporate assessees for payment of December installment of advance tax.

Ever since the controversial Citizenship Act was enacted, the northeastern states, especially Assam, have seen violent protests with at least four people reported to have died in police firing. The agitation has spread to neighbouring West Bengal too.

In a press statement, the Finance Ministry said that considering the large-scale disruption of internet services in the northeastern states - Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the cut-off date.

The order was issued exercising of powers conferred under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

The relief is available for taxpayers in all the seven states of the northeast.

"Considering the large-scale disruption of internet services in the northeastern states - Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, in exercise of powers conferred under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, has decided to extend the last date for payment of December installment of Advance tax for FY 2019-20, from 15th December, 2019 to 31st December, 2019 in case of all the assesses, Corporate and other than Corporate, in the above mentioned states."

The protests in the region have, however, continued with curfew being imposed in various parts of Guwahati. In the last few days, the situation has improved but unrest is yet to settle completely.