Guwahati: A day after a mob set a police station in Assam’s Nagaon district on fire over an alleged custodial death case, bulldozers demolished the homes of at least three people allegedly involved in the violence. Government sources, however, claimed that the homes were razed as part of a drive to remove encroachment. The demolition and the administration’s subsequent anti-encroachment argument fits a pattern that has emerged of late in BJP-ruled states and areas.
A total of 21 people have been taken into custody in connection with yesterday’s violence in Assam that left three policemen injured. The attack on the police station was not an “action-reaction incident” but was carried out by criminals to destroy case records, state police chief Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said today.
Those in the mob alleged that policemen killed Safiqul Islam, a 39-year-old fish seller, after he was unable to pay a bribe. In a social media post, Mr Mahanta said Islam was brought to the police station after police received a complaint of public drinking.
Those in the mob alleged that policemen killed Safiqul Islam, a 39-year-old fish seller, after he was unable to pay a bribe. India a social media post, Mr Mahanta said Islam was brought to the police station after police received a complaint of public drinking.