Assam: Violence erupts in Lakhimpur following custodial death of a detainee
North Lakhimpur: At least five police personnel were injured in heavy stone pelting in North Lakhimpur following the death of an accused person inside a police station in Assam's North Lakhimpur on Thursday.
The incident took place in front of the Khelmati Police Outpost on NH-15 in the morning as the news of the death of one Arshad Ali in police custody came out.
Arshad Ali (42) from Pub Chanmari in North Lakhimpur was picked up by Khelmati police on the charges of mobile phone theft.
According to police Arshad fell ill inside the police outpost and was taken to Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital where he was declared “brought dead”.
As the news of the death spread, thousands of people demonstrated in front of the Khelmati Police Outpost demanding an explanation and justice for the death of the accused in police custody.
As the crowd swelled a large number of police personnel and paramilitary forces were deployed on the spot.
The demonstrating crowd blocked the NH-15 for two hours.
Police lathi-charged the demonstrators to disperse the crowd which was responded to by heavy stone pelting.
This resulted in the injury of several police personnel and some media persons. The situation has been tense here since then.
Meanwhile, Assam Police DGP in a X (Twitter) post announced the suspension of the Inspector in Charge of Khelmati Outpost Dipankar Changmai and on-duty sentry Constable Bhairab Deori and Home Guard Anil Bora for the incident and set up an independent enquiry by Adl SP Biswanath and immediate dispatching of DIG, Northern Range to North Lakhimpur.