GUWAHATI, Jan 20: A tense situation prevailed at Karigaon in western Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Tuesday following the death of a youth during an attack on Monday night by suspected miscreants, triggering outrage and breakdown of law and order.
The deceased has been identified as Sikhna Jwhwlao alias Raja Bismit Basumatary (30). At least two others sustained serious injuries in the attack that has sparked protests, arson, vandalism, burning of tyres and highway blockades.
According to official sources, a Scorpio vehicle hit two villagers, reportedly from the Adivasi community, at Mansingh Road under Karigaon outpost of Kokrajhar police station on Monday night.
The three persons, belonging to the Bodo community, who were in the Scorpio, were beaten up by neighbouring villagers and the vehicle was subsequently torched.
The incident took a violent turn as persons from both Bodo and Adivasi communities blocked the National Highway adjacent to Karigaon outpost, burning tyres and few houses and setting fire to an office building and also attacking the Karigaon outpost.
Security has been beefed up with additional forces, including Rapid Action Force personnel, deployed in the area to prevent further escalation of law and order and control the volatile situation on Tuesday even as police had to resort to baton charge and tear gas shelling to disperse the agitated protesters.
According to reports, at least 18 persons were detained by police in connection with the attack.
Meanwhile, in the interest of maintaining greater public peace and tranquillity and to prevent any deterioration of the present situation, Internet mobile data service of all mobile service Providers in the district of Kokrajhar has been prohibited with immediate effect and until further orders, a notification issued by the state home and political department, stated.
Assam CM responds
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is currently in Davos Switzerland attending the World Economic Forum, took to social media to state: “I am in frequent contact with high level officials of the district administration as well as the state administration to normalise the situation in Kokrajhar.”
“The army has been deployed to ensure peace and security of the people and the Rapid Action Force of the Central Reserve Police Force has already been deployed,” Sarma said.
“There will be a temporary suspension of internet services in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts for the time being to maintain law and order situation. I request the full cooperation of the leading figures of the society and political leaders. I urge everyone to assist the government in restoring peace and normalcy as soon as possible,” the chief minister said.
ABSU demands probe
The All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) has condemned the incident, demanding strict action against the perpetrators of the incident.
ABSU president Dipen Boro, while addressing mediapersons on Tuesday, demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged killing of the youth
Boro strongly condemned what he termed as a barbaric attack on the deceased, Sikhna Jwhwlao alias Raja Bismit Basumatary (30), and serious injury of Prabhat Brahma (54), his son, Jagirash Brahma (15) at Malsing road, Karigaon on Monday evening by suspected miscreants.
“Such a barbaric act of killing without any reason to innocent persons is against the law. It is a heinous crime designed by miscreants to spread violence and hatred among peace loving communities. Apparently, lapses of administration have led to some untoward incidents in the district,” the ABSU leader said.
“We strongly demand immediate arrest of the culprits involved and stringent punishment to the perpetrators with no stone unturned. We also appeal to all sections to maintain peace and tranquillity,” he said.
BTC chief reacts
Meanwhile, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary termed the attack as unfortunate even as he suspected that a “third party might be behind the incident in a bid to take political advantage.”
“The administration has to take the onus and take steps to control the situation,” Mohilary said, while appealing for peace in the BTC region.
