Guwahati: One person was killed and 10, including seven policemen, were injured when protestors in Mangaldoi town of Assam’s Darrang district clashed with police on Wednesday. The injured included the district’s deputy superintendent of police, Deb Ranjan Sharma.
The violence took place after hundreds of locals blocked NH15 to protest the alleged custodial death of a daily labourer, Hasen Ali, at the Dhula police station on Tuesday night.
The mob attacked the police station and demanded action against the officer-in-charge responsible for the local’s death. Protestors pelted stones, stopped vehicles along the highway and burned tyres. They blocked the road and held up traffic for almost four hours. Police resorted to baton charge to disperse the mob, but the situation soon turned violent. Police then, allegedly, opened fire killing 28-year old Mohidul Haque, a local resident.
Three civilians were also injured in the clash – Gul Rehena (18) and Mustafa Ali (40), who sustained bullet injuries, were admitted to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital. Another Ataur Ali was admitted to the Mangaldoi Civil Hospital.
Darrang deputy commissioner Ashok Kumar Barman claimed that the situation was brought under control and the national highway was reopened for traffic after curfew was clamped at Dhula and security tightened. He said that the protestors were possibly instigated by some anti-social elements.
“Police has the right to arrest someone on suspicion, but they have no right to kill him. We demand justice against Hasen Ali’s death and compensation for his family,” a protestor said.
Darrang SP, Sreejith Thiraviam told News 18, “Everyone is equal in the eye of law. Action has already been taken against accused police officer Ranjit Hazarika. He was suspended after the custodial death allegation surfaced. He was arrested today in Guwahati.”
Hasen Ali was reportedly picked up on suspicion of possessing illegal arms. “The cops barged into our room late last night and dragged my husband by the collar. They were asking for some gun. Four of them pinned him to the ground, covered his mouth and kicked him repeatedly. They threatened me not to make noise and kicked me as well,” the victim’s wife alleged.
SP Sreejith Thiraviam, however, said that no gun was recovered from Hasen Ali’s possession.
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