How an attack in Sivasagar exposed the city’s fragile social fabric

What happens when several communities live together in a state where identity can be a contentious issue at best and violent at worst?

On August 13, 2024, Sivasagar, a district in Assam known for its rich historical heritage, became the centre of a disturbing incident that sparked intense public outcry and protests. Jimmy Das, a prominent national-level arm wrestler, was brutally attacked by a group of individuals in the locality of Babupatti. This violent incident not only shocked the local community but also raised serious concerns about safety, justice, and communal tensions in the region.

Jimmy Das is not just a national-level athlete but also a symbol of dedication and hard work. A student of Fire and Safety Engineering at the Assam Energy Institute, Das earned recognition and respect through his achievements in sports. His journey from a local athlete to a gold medalist on the national stage represented a significant personal and professional accomplishment and was a matter of pride for the state.

Then came August 13.

An attack, protests and apologies

Das was attacked by Marwari men in Babupatti. Reports suggest that the attack was unprovoked and brutal. Das sustained severe injuries, including significant trauma to his head and abdomen.

The immediate response to the attack saw Das being rushed to the Government Civil Hospital in Sivasagar. However, given the seriousness of his injuries, the medical team determined that he required more advanced treatment.

Consequently, Das was referred to a medical facility in Dibrugarh, where he continues to receive care and undergo treatment. The severity of his condition has raised concerns about his long-term health and recovery.

The attack on Jimmy Das not only led to a significant public reaction but also triggered a wave of political and social mobilisation in Sivasagar.

Various party organisations and community groups have expressed their outrage and demanded swift justice for Das. In the days following the attack, several protests and road blockades were organized in front of the residences of the accused individuals. These protests reflect the community’s frustration and their call for accountability.

The road blockade, a common form of protest in the region, was aimed at drawing attention to the incident and pressuring the authorities to take immediate action.

In response to the public outcry and the need for a swift resolution, the Sivasagar police launched an immediate investigation into the attack. As a result of their efforts, two individuals, Arun Lahti and Manish Puddar, were arrested in connection with the incident.

The attack on Jimmy Das has had a profound impact on the community in Sivasagar. As a district with a rich history of cultural and social harmony, the incident has exposed underlying tensions and divisions.

The public’s reaction, including the protests and road blockades, reflects a deep-seated concern about the safety and well-being of individuals in the region.

Community leaders and activists used the incident as an opportunity to address broader issues of violence, discrimination, and social cohesion. There were calls for greater community dialogue and initiatives to foster understanding and cooperation among different groups.

The attack has also underscored the need for effective measures to prevent violence and ensure that victims receive the support and justice they deserve.

Karan Khemka, a leader of the Marwari Sangathan, spoke to EastMojo and said a girl was injured in an incident that occurred in Sivasagar on August 13. “The girl was wronged by two men from our Marwari community, and their actions were a serious mistake. We, as a society, acknowledge that such incidents should never happen. It is unacceptable to think of any daughter in such a manner, anywhere,” he said.

He added, “We have assured that such incidents will not be repeated on behalf of all the traders of Sivasagar, our parties and organizations, our brothers and sisters, and our society. We are committed to ensuring that such actions are never repeated in the future. We are from Assam, Marwari and Assamese Marwari—it is in our blood. We all consider Assam to be our own.”

Sunil Singh, leader of the Bhojpuri Sangathan, spoke to EastMojo: “I have discussed the incident that occurred in Sivasagar on August 13, in which a woman was subjected to atrocities. We strongly condemn these actions. This is a serious matter, and we believe the administration should give due consideration to those involved. We hope such incidents will never happen again.”

He continued, “We have always supported Assam economically, socially, and culturally. Our commitment to the welfare of Assamese society remains steadfast, and we will continue to work in its best interests. We respect the perspectives of local party organizations and consistently support them. It is true that our community embraces Assamese culture and celebrates all the festivals of Assam.”

‘Indigenous rights suppressed’

Not everyone shared the idea of living and co-existing peacefully, with some pointing out that the violence and protests underlined a gap in society. Jintu Mech, President of the Assam Satra (Student) Juva Sanmilan, said a massive protest was held, led by 30 organizations in Sivasagar, protesting against the abuse and attack on Jimmy Das, a student belonging to the Scheduled Caste community of Sivasagar by two non-Assamese businessmen. “The movement has transcended the isolated incident, becoming a larger campaign to protect the land and socio-political identity of the indigenous people of Assam. The incident made the indigenous people believe that various non-Assamese individuals are threatening their livelihoods and political existence through constant economic invasion,” he said.

Mech added, “We know that in many parts of the world, laws protect Indigenous people, and our Constitution has given similar safeguards. Neighboring Nagaland, for instance, grants indigenous people rights to their land and resources. If the indigenous people of Assam do not receive these same rights, Assamese culture will not survive for long.”

He also criticized the government, saying, “The present government made pre-election promises to protect the land and nationality of the Indigenous people, but today, their stance favours the ‘Baniya’ class, which has culturally and economically abused the people of the land.”

Mech concluded, “We are not xenophobic; we do not wish to attack people of other communities without reason or deprive them of their constitutional rights. But indigenous people’s land must be reserved for indigenous people.”

The issue was eventually resolved after a meeting on August 20, presided over by state cabinet minister Ranoj Pegu, also the ‘Guardian Minister’ of Sivasagar district. Representatives from Assamese nationalist groups and Marwari groups attended the meeting.

The Marwari community condemned the incident and agreed to take measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. They also agreed to compensate the victim’s family with Rs 2 lakh. Additionally, Assamese nationalist groups demanded legislation to stop the sale of land to “non-indigenous” people, the use of large Assamese scripts on business hoardings, and that 90% of employees in “non-Assamese” businesses be indigenous youths.

Vinod Aggarwal, a Marwari representative at the meeting, confirmed that the community had accepted these demands.

Pegu told reporters after the meeting, “The groups discussed the rights to land, employment, and language for the Indigenous people, which this government is addressing under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The communication gap and misunderstanding between the two groups have been resolved.”

Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, leader of the regional party Raijor Dal and part of the opposition alliance in the state, offered his “full support” to the protest, stating, “If Assamese people are not safe in Assam, where will they be safe?”

He also cited a recent announcement by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that the Assam government would introduce a law to prevent the sale of indigenous land to others in Barpeta and Goalpara. Gogoi suggested the law apply to places such as Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Sivasagar, and Jorhat too.

More trouble on the way?

Even as locals resolved to push for peace, on August 18, Gaurav Somani, a BJP leader from Guwahati, filed a complaint against activist Srinkhal Chaliha at the Dispur police station. He alleged that statements made by Chaliha during a meeting amounted to “spewing venom against the Marwari, Bhojpuri, Bengali, and other communities residing in Assam.”

Shortly afterwards, a statement allegedly issued by ULFA(I) demanded that Somani withdraw the complaint, threatening “consequences” for “outsiders.” Somani subsequently withdrew his complaint on Tuesday.

Following Somani, another individual named Shankar Singh also filed a complaint against Chaliha at the Bharlumukh police station in Guwahati. However, Singh later withdrew his case against Chaliha. For now, peace has returned to Sivasagar, but whether it remains so, only time will tell.

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