Assam: 12-hour bandh observed in Darrang district day after two killed in police firing

A 12-hour bandh called to protest the killings of two civilians in police firing in Assam’s Darrang district affected normal life on Friday, PTI reported.

The police firing on Thursday took place during a protest against an eviction drive.

The bandh was called by the All Minority Organisations Coordination Committee, which includes the All Assam Minority Students Union, Jamiat-e-Ulema and some other organisations.

During the bandh on Friday, all business establishments in Darrang stayed closed and very few vehicles were seen on roads, according to PTI. Security was tightened in the district and a large number of police officers were deployed in Goroikhuti, Dholpur I and III villages in Sipahjar area, where the eviction drive was conducted.

According to local accounts, late on Wednesday night, the administration had served an eviction notice to residents of Kirakota Char. Protests erupted on Thursday morning. After this, the administration reportedly promised that the villagers will be rehabilitated before the eviction.

However, once a group of activists left the area, the police opened fire on the protestors, residents alleged. The two persons who died in the attack have been identified as Saddam Hussain and 12-year-old Sheikh Farid.

A video widely circulated after the incident shows policemen opening fire and then falling upon a protestor who was running towards them with a stick. A…

Read more