GUWAHATI:
Three people were arrested after a riotous 2000-odd mob vandalised and torched Batadrava Police station in Assam’s Nagaon following the death of a fish trader in police custody, on May 21.
“We have arrested three persons involved in the violence. This is unacceptable. No one can take law in their hands, whatever may be a provocation,” said Nagaon superintendent of police, Leena Doley.
Identified as Safikul Islam, the deceased was picked up by the police in an inebriated state on May 20 but he passed away in the custody, the police said.
According to the locals and Islam’s family, the police had demanded Rs 10,000 as a bribe for his release but when he refused to pay, the police “killed” the fish trader.
“Today morning we went to the police station, and were informed that Islam has been shifted to the hospital. Later, we came to know that he died in the hospital,” said a family member.
After the news of the death spread, people started gathering at the police station and gheraoed it. First, they tried to confront the police and eventually torched the police station before assaulting some police personnel, the police said.
“We will look into the very aspects of the incident and take appropriate action,” the SP added.
The family further alleged that the policemen misbehaved with them when they had gone to the police station to enquire about the circumstances under which Islam’s died.