SILCHAR: The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) on Thursday demanded the direct intervention of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to restore normalcy in Sribhumi district following the recent clash during an immersion procession and allegations of police excesses.

In a press statement, BDF Convener Hrishikesh Dey said the administration and local public representatives had failed to handle the situation impartially, leading to growing mistrust among people in the Barak Valley.

In a video message, Dey referred to the public clarification by the Superintendent of Police of Sribhumi, earlier known as Karimganj, that the incident involved a clash between two groups of youths allegedly under the influence of alcohol and was not related to any ethnic conflict. Despite this clarification, he alleged that the incident was being given a political and communal colour.

Dey questioned the impartiality of the police action, claiming that several people allegedly assaulted at the spot and inside the police station had no direct involvement in the clash. He also expressed concern that Bengali people appeared to have been arrested, while the alleged involvement of members of both groups needed to be investigated fairly.

He said the 13 MLAs and three MPs representing the Barak Valley should have taken the initiative to ensure an impartial investigation, identify the actual offenders and rebuild trust between the two communities. However, he alleged that the elected representatives had failed to fulfil their responsibilities.

Dey also referred to Sribhumi district minister Krishnendu Paul’s meeting with members of the Assamese community affected by the incident. While appreciating the minister’s gesture of expressing sympathy and assuring action against those responsible, he questioned the absence of similar assurances regarding the injured persons from the other side and those who allegedly faced police brutality.

The BDF convener also criticised Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi for allegedly attempting to gain political mileage from the incident. He said Gogoi should have consulted people from both communities and worked towards restoring harmony instead of organising a rally representing one community.

Meanwhile, BDF Media Cell Convener Jaydeep Bhattacharjee alleged that police excesses and the administration’s handling of the situation had raised serious concerns about democratic rights and public confidence.

He cited the case of a poor businessman who had allegedly gone to the scene in search of his son but was beaten by police and detained at the police station for 18 hours. According to Bhattacharjee, the man later had to borrow Rs 20,000 to secure bail.

He further alleged that fear and pressure had prevented eyewitnesses and families of those allegedly subjected to police excesses from speaking freely to the media. He claimed that public anger over the administration’s role and the response of local representatives had spread across the Barak Valley.

BDF Places Four Demands Before Chief Minister

The BDF has placed four demands before the Chief Minister.

First, it has sought the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of cases against innocent persons who were not present at the scene and have already been granted bail. It has also demanded the release of other innocent persons allegedly detained under similar circumstances.

Second, the organisation has demanded a magisterial-level inquiry into the allegations of police brutality. It has called for legal action against personnel found guilty and compensation of at least Rs 1 lakh for each person subjected to unjustified torture.

Third, the BDF has demanded the immediate arrest of the actual offenders from both sides and their inclusion in the investigation.

Fourth, it has sought appropriate government action against certain media outlets in the Brahmaputra Valley that it accused of repeatedly portraying people from the Barak Valley as “Bangladeshis”.

Bhattacharjee said the Barak Valley had a long history of coexistence, mutual respect and communal harmony among different communities. He urged the Chief Minister to intervene and take steps to prevent the controversy from escalating further.

The BDF said its demands were aimed at restoring public confidence, ensuring justice and bringing normalcy back to the district. The information was conveyed through a press statement issued by BDF Convener Debayan Deb.