Assam Police will book five of the six people accused of setting ablaze a police station in Nagaon district under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for “suspected terror links” reported the Indian Express on May 24, 2022.
Wife of fish-seller Safikul Islam and her minor daughter accused the local police of killing Islam for failing to produce a bribe of ₹ 10,000. An angry mob gathered outside the police station following which, there are viral videos of people setting fire to the place.
Nagaon Superintendent of Police Leena Doley told The Indian Express that the videos show both women engaged in the crime. Others accused are also members of the deceased’s family. While the adults will face charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the daughter will be tried as per the rules of the Juvenile Justice Act. The UAPA case was registered under the Dhing police station, which has jurisdiction over the village of the accused.
According to Indian Express, the police suspected the family to have links with the the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a proscribed Bangladeshi terrorist organisation. The paper said that at least 10 people in Barpeta and Bongaigaon districts were arrested for such alleged links. The NIA is also probing the case, said Doley. However, the forensic report on Islam’s death is not ready yet.
Islam was arrested on Friday night for alleged public drinking. Police claim he died since he was unwell. However, his wife said that the officials asked for a duck and ₹ 10,000 to release him. Failing this, she said the police beat him in front of her.
After the incident made local news, Opposition leaders from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Congress visited the village on May 23 and condemned the BJP-led government and demanded a judicial inquiry.
Meanwhile, the police have filed a case of “unnatural death” in Islam’s case, although the family accuses officials of custodial murder. Islam’s family lost their house in a demolition drive shortly after the arson. Yet, the police claim that the eviction was part of a routine process.
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