Guwahati: In a sensational development, Assam police chief Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta on Sunday revealed that some local bad elements who took the law into their own hands and burnt down the Batadrava police station on Saturday were bad characters with criminal records.
The DGP also stated that proof, and incrementing evidence- all burnt down during the incident. “Don’t think this is a simple action-reaction incident. There is much more to it,” said the DGP in a tweet.
So far three people including the mastermind behind the Batadrava incident have been arrested for torching the police station, while the operation to nab the other culprits is on.
The arrested persons were identified as Mozibur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam and Anwar Hussain.
Taking to social media, the DGP Assam police said, “These bad elements came in all forms women, men, young and old. But the preparedness with which they came, and the ferocious and organised attack they staged on the police force have made us think deeper. We don’t think these are grieving relatives of the dead, but as we have identified, they were bad characters and their relatives with criminal records- RECORDS that were there within the thana. Proof, incrementing evidence- all burnt down. So don’t think this is a simple action-reaction incident. There is much more to it.”
According to the DGP, one Safiqul Islam (39) was brought to Batadrava Thana on May 20, 2022, at 9:30 PM after receiving a complaint of him being drunk. “He was in fact lying on a public road before he was brought in. He was booked after a medical check-up. The next day he was released and handed over to his wife. His wife even gave him some water/food. Later he complained of sickness and he was taken to two hospitals, one after another. However, he was declared dead,” added the Assam police chief.
Terming the death of Saiful as unfortunate, DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta said, “We take this very seriously and have put the Batadrava Thana OC on suspension and rest of the staff Closed.”
The police chief also assured that if there is any foul play on their end, they would punish the guilty according to law.
“So this is our assurance to peace-loving people of Assam, while we will not let go any police personnel found guilty, we will act even tougher against elements who think that they can escape the Indian justice system, by burning down Police Stations. We will simply not allow this. Let this be the first and last warning to all antisocial/criminal elements,” DGP concluded saying this.
Update: So far 21 people have been arrested in the Batadrava incident.
