Assam: 6 student leaders arrested on extortion charge in Dibrugarh

Guwahati: As many as 6 student leaders from Assam were recently arrested by the police in Dibrugarh district on charges of extortion.

The student leaders who belong to three organizations have been arrested allegedly for demanding money from a private hospital in Dibrugarh town.

The apprehended student leaders have been identified as Zubin Mech, president of Bir Lachit Sena's Dibrugarh unit, Dipak Dihingia, district secretary of Sanmilita Axomiya Yuva Sakti, Axom, Jitul Chetia and Kalyan Sonowal of Bir Lachit Sena, Dijen Dutta and Sanjib Dowarah of Tai Ahom Students' Union.

According to police, the arrest was made after an FIR was filed by the authorities of Damani's Nursing Home alleging that on August 12, 20-25 unknown persons introduced themselves as belonging to some organizations. Some of them allegedly claimed to be media persons and demanded Rs 10 lakh from the Nursing Home.

The nursing home authorities further alleged that some unknown persons also entered the hospital's premises and misbehaved with two female staff members of the nursing home on August 12.

Dibrugarh Additional SP (Headquarter) Padmanabh Baruah said, "So far we have arrested six student leaders on the basis of an FIR lodged by the nursing home authority. We have registered a case no 1310/2020 under sections 120(B)/ 448/188/384/387/294/269/270/509 of IPC and r/w section 51(b) of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

"We are investigating the case and more are likely to be arrested in connection with the case," he added.