Debabrata Saikia terms minority certificates as a gimmick

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has termed the State Government's decision to award identification certificates to six minority communities - Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Parsis – as a political gimmick which may be aimed at causing a schism between the majority and minority communities.

Saikia said that the State Cabinet's decision is unnecessary because the Constitution of India has already given recognition as minorities to these six communities. The Constitution and the laws of the land have also specified the facilities which are to be given to these communities, he pointed out, and questioned the logic behind the Cabinet's decision.

On the other hand, Saikia demanded a judicial inquiry into the Batodroba incident, including the death in police custody of the prime accused, Asikul Islam.

He termed as "unfortunate" that two accused persons have died in police custody during the last ten days. "It is surprising and shameful that the Assam Police is unable to properly keep accused persons in its custody."

He said that many accused persons have died in encounters while in police custody, when they were being taken for location identification, scene of crime etc. He said that such deaths during pendency of investigation prevent unearthing of the full facts of the relevant cases and wondered as to whether these are the handiwork of some anti-Assam elements within the Assam Police.

Saikia urged the Assam Police to be more careful henceforth so that it is able to protect the lives of persons in its custody, as well as citizens in general.

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