12-Year-Old Killed In Sipajhar Violence, Had Gone To Collect His Aadhaar Card Claims Family

GUWAHATI: A 12-year-old boy is among the many civilians killed in a violent anti-encroachment drive in Assam's Darrang district.

According to reports, the 12-year-old boy named Shaikh Farid was caught in the clash while returning home after collecting his Aadhaar card from the local post office.

In the clash, SP Darrang Sushanta Biswa Sarma blamed the people at the spot who pelted stones and attacked police personnel.

"Nine policemen were injured, I'm inquiring about the video that's doing rounds on social media," the SP said.

Assam Minister Ranjit Kumar Dass said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will take action in the matter "as the public has given us the responsibility to protect Assam".

About 800 families were evicted in the drive against encroachments at Dholpur on Monday. The state wants to repossess 4,500 bighas of government land for an agricultural project.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has said that the authorities concerned must continue the anti-encroachment drives at the areas of the Gorukhuti-Dhalpur-Siva Mandir area, opined Bhabesh Kalita, president of the State BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) here on Friday.

Addressing the media at the party head office at Hengerabari here, Kalita alleged, "We strongly feel that a third-party was involved in the Thursday's incident at Dhalpur in Darrang District.

The State BJP president added, "Approximately 70,000 bighas of government land are under encroachment in that area. A number of Rs 10 crore has been also allocated in the State Budget for the 'Gorukuti Agri Project' proposed to be set up at that site. Besides, the State government has constituted a panel to go into the details. The panel members are legislators Padma Hazarika, Mrinal Saikia, Paramananda Rajbongshi and Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia."

Addressing the media persons at the Friday conference, BJP MP Dilip Saikia maintained, "The people of that area had agreed to shift to the alternative location as determined by the administration. But, who instigated them? There is the involvement of a third party in this case."

MP Saikia stressed, "We will complete the Gorukhuti Agri project in that area."

Also read: Anti-encroachment drives must continue: MP Dilip Saikia

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