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Congress alleges targeting of a community as house of accused is razed in Assam
In May, authorities in Assam’s Nagaon razed houses of some of the accused after an attack on a police station over fish trader Safiqul Islam’s death in police custody
Authorities in Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Tuesday razed the house of one of the accused of allegedly abetting the suicide of a businessman and animal rights activist, citing illegal construction, even as the Opposition Congress called the move a deliberate act to target a particular community.
The activist was found dead in his home on July 7. In a video message, he named four people responsible for the extreme step — Nishant Sharma, Baidullah Khan, Sanjay Sharma and Izaz Khan.
On Tuesday, Bulldozers brought down Baidullah Khan’s two-storey house at Ghoramara after he was arrested along with Nishant Sharma. Sanjay Sharma and Izaz Khan are absconding, police officers familiar with the matter said.
Dibrugarh deputy commissioner Biswajit Pegu said the Khan’s was constructed without necessary permits. “The structure was unstable and unfit for people to reside in. It was built right on the edge of the road, which is illegal, and electric connections were found to be precarious.”
He added that the building violated several legal parameters and that it was rased under provisions of the Disaster Management Act. Pegu said Khan and his family did not reside in the house and that it was given on rent.
The activist died by suicide after recording a video in which he named those responsible for pushing him to kill himself. According to a complaint filed by the family, they had rented their premises to one of the accused, who in turn sublet it to another accused. But when the family asked the tenants to vacate the property, they allegedly stopped paying rent and started threatening the family.
“Police will find out all details about Baidullah Khan. He is said to be involved in lending money on interest, which is illegal. There are reports of more irregularities by him. Today’s action was the first instalment, more will follow in coming days,” said chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, reacting to the razing of Khan’s house.
In the video, the activist accused the four persons of constant threats that forced him to end his life. His family filed police complaints against the accused prior to his death, but no action was taken, said the father of the deceased.
Sarma had visited the activist’s family on Saturday and apologised for police inaction. He pulled up the deputy commissioner and police superintendent for failing to check Khan’s activities. “I cannot even imagine how Baidullah Khan reached this town. I am very ashamed. Has our government become so weak? I have never been so ashamed in my life,” the CM had said.
“Is this Dhubri or Goalpara?” Sarma questioned, referring to two Muslim majority districts. “My mind is not able to comprehend whether I am hearing of an incident in Assam or in Jammu and Kashmir. This is just one incident. There may be many Baidullahs roaming around here,” he added.
The opposition Congress accused Sarma of giving a communal colour to the incident. “Our chief minister tries to communalise everything. In this case, there are four accused; two Hindus and two Muslims. But Sarma targets just one accused who happens to be a Muslim,” said Congress leader Debabrata Saikia.
He added Sarma has set a bad precedent and called it a threat to democratic values and Assam’s cultural ethos. “Criminals cannot be branded based on their religion. This sends a very wrong message to one community.”
In May, authorities in Assam’s Nagaon had razed houses of some of the accused after an attack on a police station over fish trader Safiqul Islam’s death in police custody. Similar actions have been taken in other Bharatiya Janata Party ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh and drawn flak.
