Sam Stafford’s shraddha held; Bodies Demand inquiry into killing

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Choked with emotions all leaders of the organizations spearheading the protest against the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Bill) have felt the need of another agitation seeking inquiry into the killing of minors in police firing during the anti-CAA movement.

The public adya shraddha of 17-year-old Sam Stafford held at Hatigaon here on Sunday was largely attended by the leaders of the AASU (All Assam Students’ Union), artiste fraternity, the Hatigaon Nagarik Samaj and others. Sam being an artiste himself (a drummer), all his instruments were on display at the adya shraddha ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, AASU president Dipanko Kumar Nath said, “Sam took part in the anti-CAA agitation for his State and its people. He was, however, killed in cold blood. Today we’re here to attend the shraddha of our younger brother. What can be more disheartening than this? A fan of Zubeen Garg, Sam was on his way back home from Latasil playground when he was shot dead. As and when we are on the streets seeking security and safety of the people of the State, we have to lose a few of our brothers and sisters. They fall victim to the forces deployed by the government. The government hasn’t yet made any announcement for an investigation into the killing of the minor. Many local people have seen the killing of Sam. However, what prevents the government from ordering an investigation into the killing? Do the people at the helm of affairs at Dispur are scared of their bosses in New Delhi? Why can’t they sit with their high commands in Delhi and speak on behalf of the people of Assam?”

On the announcements made by the State Cabinet on Saturday, Nath said, “Now they speak of the ethnic communities of the State. Are they away from us? They’re also agitating against the CAA along with us. It’s good that two new medical colleges were announced yesterday. However, we also need engineers as well. Why no engineering college has been announced? Does the government make all announcements as baits? It can do whatever it wants, but cannot quell our democratic agitation against the CAA.”

Actress Nishita Goswami said, “A small boy has to lose his life for the sake of his land and people. They die but leave behind bright examples. We want to make it crystal clear before the government that we won’t accept the CAA. Our younger brothers have been killed for taking part in the agitation. The government will be at fault if it feels that the killing of our brothers have weakened us. We’ll continue to go ahead the agitation against the CAA.”

Speaking on the occasion, AASU’s adviser-in-chief Samujjal Bhattacharya said, “After the killing of a student of Class X, many responsible persons of the State government have been addressing the media. They, however, haven’t made any utterance on the innocent minors killed in the agitation. Don’t they have any hearts? The government of Sarbananda Sonowal has turned into anti-indigenous and pro-Bangladeshi one. The guilty has to be punished. We’ll continue our anti-CAA agitation come what may. We won’t let the sacrifice of martyrs go in vein.”

Actress Prastuti Parasar said, “Sam has been a martyr at a young stage. The government has been addressing the media very often these days. The government will make a mistake if it thinks that we will get fed up of the agitation. We’ll continue our agitation against the CAA till it is scrapped.” Sam’s mother said, “I lost my only son. He was killed on his way back home from the agitation against CAA. I condemn the government for such a cruelty. I want nothing short of a high-level inquiry into the killing.”

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