Villagers, students express anger over fake encounter in Kokrajhar

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: There had been no killing and violence for a long time after the BTR accord and peace has returned but the killing of two Bodo youths through the alleged encounter in Lumsung forest areas by Assam Police on September 18 in the morning has brought a sense of anger over BJP-led government in Assam and villagers in remote places have expressed fear of being a soft target in the name of searching militants.

The dead body of Jwngsar Mashahary was buried on Sunday amid a huge gathering at Salguri village. Villagers and school students took out a rally taking the dead body of Jwngsar. They shouted slogans against the present government and Assam Police. The villagers demanded the fake encounters and killing of innocent youths should be stopped.

Talking to mediapersons, the family member of Jwngsar said Kokrajhar police had taken them to Kokrajhar from Serfanguri PS on September 17 but the next day morning they heard that both the youths who were injured in bike accident at South Aflagaon were shot dead in an encounter which is very surprising. They said Jwngsar was a former cadre of the disbanded NDFB but he was not a member of newly formed United Liberation for Bodoland (ULB). They also said to run the poor family, Jwngsar used to work in different fields and he had a new born child of just 15 days old.

Meanwhile, a press statement, from ULB which declared its formation on September 15, has clarified that both the youths do not belong to their outfit. The ULB slammed the government of Assam and Assam Police for being anti Bodo and anti tribal and warned that action could be taken if they continue to kill innocent youths.

On the other hand, former MP SK Bwiswmuthiary, working president of Bodoland Janajati Suraksha Mancha (BJSM) DD Narzary and leaders of BSU (Bodoland Students Union) visited the bereaved family members.

Also Read: NHRC Seeks Report From Assam DGP On 'Fake Encounters'

Also watch: