Guwahati: Assam Director General of Police (DGP), Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, on Sunday warned of stringent action against those involved in attack on Batadrava Police Station and who think they can get away from by burning down police station.
''So this is our assurance to peace-loving people of Assam, while we will not let go any police personnel found guilty, we will act even tougher against elements who think that they can escape Indian justice system, by burning down Police Stations. We will simply not allow this. Let this be the first and last warning to all antisocial criminal elements,'' he said in an official statement.
Assam Police chief also asserted that some local bad elements who took the law onto their own hands and burnt down the thana came in all forms women, men young and old.
''But the preparedness with which they came, the ferocious & organised attack they staged on the police force has made us think deeper,'' he added.
He further stated that proof, and incrementing evidence- all burnt down during the incident. So, don't think this is a simple action-reaction incident. There is much more to it.
Terming the death of Saiful as unfortunate, Mahanta said, "We take this very seriously and have put the Batadrava Thana OC on suspension and rest of the staff Closed."
As per the DGP, Safiqul Islam (39) was brought to Batadrava Thana on May 20, 2022, at 9:30 PM after receiving a complaint of him being drunk.
"He was in fact lying on a public road before he was brought in. He was booked after a medical check-up. The next day he was released and handed over to his wife. His wife even gave him some water/food. Later, he complained of sickness and he was taken to two hospitals, one after another. However, he was declared dead," added the Assam police chief.
On Saturday, a violent and rowdy crowd set ablaze at the Batadrava police station in the Nagaon district of Assam and physically assaulted the cops.
The assault came after Islam, who was allegedly picked up by police, reportedly died while being in custody at Batadrava police station.
A furious mob of men and women were seen storming the Batadrava police station in the visuals which surfaced online. The angry mob took the law into their own hands when they assaulted a couple of policemen who were on duty and set the police station on fire.
In retaliation, the Assam Police along with the district administration on Sunday demolished the houses of those who were involved in the blitz, said sources.
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