Youth dies after assault in Digboi, five arrested, protests erupt
Protestors blocked NH-38 at the Chariali Bazar market area in Digboi, disrupting vehicular traffic & demanding immediate action
Protests in the Bogapani Tea Estate area, with tea garden workers & members of various Adivasi groups at the Digboi CHC (Photo: AT)
Digboi, Feb 13: Tension prevailed in Digboi following the death of a 26-year-old youth who was allegedly assaulted at Chariali Bazar as police arrested five persons in connection with the incident, while security has been tightened in the area to maintain law and order.
The deceased, identified as Buddheshwar Garh, was a resident of Line No. 10 of Bogapani Tea Estate.
He was reportedly an active member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was serving as the Prabhari of Booth No. 26 for the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme under Bogapani Panchayat.
He was also engaged as a temporary sanitation worker under the Digboi Municipal Board.
According to sources, Garh had been as usual cleaning the garbage at the market area when he was confronted over allegations of stealing fish from an abandoned box.
He was allegedly assaulted on on Wednesday later handed over to the police. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries at the Digboi Civil Hospital.
Police have arrested Shero Khan, Sonu Bhattacharjee, Bikram Sahani, Ajit Ali and Ramajan Khan in connection with the case.
All five accused are currently in custody. Police sources indicated that further arrests may take place as the investigation continues.
The death triggered protests in the Bogapani Tea Estate area, with tea garden workers and members of various Adivasi organizations staging a sit-in at the Digboi Community Health Centre (CHC), demanding stringent action against those responsible.
The agitation reportedly delayed the process of shifting the body to Tinsukia for post-mortem examination.
As the situation intensified, protestors blocked National Highway 38 at the Chariali Bazar market area for a considerable period, disrupting vehicular traffic and demanding immediate and exemplary punishment for the culprits.
During the blockade, sections of the protestors raised slogans blaming certain local groups for the incident, prompting the authorities to enhance security arrangements.
Himangshu Gohain, Co-District Superintendent of Police, along with the Circle Officer-cum-Executive Magistrate, were present to supervise law and order measures.
Additional security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any escalation. The incident comes at a time when public discourse in the region has remained sensitive following reports of the suspected death of a youth in Bangladesh.
Senior officials have assured that the investigation will be conducted in a fair and impartial manner and that strict action will be taken against those found guilty.
district administration continues to monitor the situation closely.