Guwahati: Sentiments against the amended Citizenship Act ran high on Friday at the burial of a 17-year-old Christian youth who died in an alleged firing incident while he was returning from a protest venue, with many locals hailing him as a “martyr”.
Sam Stafford died Thursday night after sustaining a “bullet injury” at Namgarh area, a few kilometers from his home at Hatigaon, while he was returning from Latasil playground, where singer Zubeen Garg performed in solidarity with protestors against the Citizenship Act.
At Staffords’ home, Sam’s fellow musician friends and schoolmates came to comfort the family.
Later, Assam Police personnel escorted a makeshift hearse van carrying his coffin to Christian Basti graveyard in Dispur. A traditional Gamocha was placed around his neck as his body lay in the coffin. As the hearse left home, a friend held out Sam’s portrait and cried, ‘Joi Aai Asom’ (hail Assam).
A large number of neighbours had gathered on their rooftops and balconies, with some capturing the moment on their mobile phones as the van made its way forward.
At the graveyard, it was a multi-faith gathering and some local artistes and activists of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) were also present.
Two people held out traditional Assamese Gamocha in the air bearing slogans: No CAA and Shaheed Pranam Tomak (Martyr! We salute you). (PTI)
