Tinsukia: A potentially volatile situation in Tinsukia, Assam, was swiftly contained by the police following an incident on Wednesday night where a local youth, Ridip Deka, was allegedly assaulted by a group of individuals.
The incident, reminiscent of a recent row in Sivasagar that spiraled into an Assamese vs ‘outsiders’ clash, led to the prompt arrest of two suspects by the police.
Deka sustained a head injury during the altercation and was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment. The accused have been identified as Deep Kumar Singh alias Prem and Vijay Kumar Singh, both brothers. A third individual, Ajay Kumar Singh, has been brought in for questioning.
This incident came close on the heels of a teen girl’s assault incident that escalated into a massive protest directed against “non-Assamese” business owners in Sivasagar town, on a day when the shutter of a shop was pulled down and locked by local indigenous organisations in the Upper Assam town for his alleged misbehavior with an Assamese customer.
Recounting the incident, Ridip Deka told reporters that the altercation occurred when he encountered a car blocking a narrow lane. “I asked the driver to move the car forward, but suddenly, 6 to 7 youths appeared, started pushing me, and one of them hit me on the head with a helmet, causing severe bleeding,” Deka said.
Tinsukia Superintendent of Police, Abhijit Gurav, told EastMojo that an FIR was promptly lodged based on a complaint from the victim’s family, leading to the swift apprehension of two suspects. “I have directed the officer-in-charge of Tinsukia police to take swift action in accordance with the law,” Gaurav said.
A police source revealed that the altercation took place around 11:30 pm, involving a group of 6 to 7 individuals. “Several persons have been brought in for questioning, and we are working to determine the exact cause of the dispute and identify all those involved as an investigation is underway,” the source added.
Earlier in the week, leaders of various student and indigenous organisations had forcibly shut down a local shop, Gupta Motors, in Nau-phukri locality for not apologising over the use of derogatory language against an Assamese customer, leading to tensions. The group had then set 4 pm as the deadline for the businessman to tender his apology.
Talking to media persons, Umananda Mudai of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity said that a trader used slang language and threatened an Assamese customer over a vehicle trade. “We want to know was the mistake of the Assamese youth whose Rs 35,000 is still with the trader, besides other parts of the vehicle,” he said.
“To get an answer we asked the trader to come to Thana Charali to explain his stand and tender an apology for which we had set a deadline for 4 pm. Ironically, he did not come,” Mudai said. He then added, “Now, till the time this matter is not resolved, the abuse against our people does not end. If the Assamese customers are not dealt with dignity, the shop will remain closed.”
He alleged the business owner as a “gunda” (dacoit) further alleging misbehaviour by him and his son. son has showed sheer misbehaviour. “This is first case of its kind in Tinsukia, and we will ensure it is not repeated again. We ask the police administration, who are busy following us, where were you when a trader hurled slang language on an Assamese customer?” Mudai questioned.
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Daring the police, Mudai said that if to prevent a Sivasagar-like-situation, action must be initiated within 24-hours. “It is our commitment that if the police fail to take action within the stipulated deadline, the entire Tinsukia business community will suffer because of Gupta’s behaviour. We will ensure justice for Bablu Dahotia and close down all shops in Tinsukia after the deadline,” he added.
In response, Tinsukia SP Abhijit Gaurav directed senior police officials to mediate between the involved parties and ensure that appropriate legal action is taken. He also appealed for calm, emphasising that any attempts to disrupt public order would be dealt with strictly.
Meanwhile, a scuffle broke out between the police and protestors after the latter burned tires at Thana Charali as part of their demonstration. The police reportedly used minimal force to disperse a few of the protestors.
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