In serious embarrassment for the ruling Congress party, the riot victims of Western Assam’s Barpeta district have filed an FIR against a Congress councillor accusing him of instigating violence, which broke out following a bandh called by minority students on August 28.
Disclosing that the councillor of the Congress party, Muzammil Haque, was absconding, authoritative security sources said that riot victims identified and accused councilor Haque of leading the mob, which set more than 30 houses on fire and lynched a person to death on August 28 at Barpeta Road town.
Security sources said that Haque, who was given two PSOs by the district police, accompanied state agriculture minister Nilmani Sen Deka who was visiting the relief camps of riot victims, a day after the violence took place.
When contacted, Mr Deka told this newspaper, “Many Congress workers were present when I visited the relief camp. Some of the victims informed me about the role of councillor who was also present but managed to escape as victims started complaining to me about his role.”
Clarifying that he did not know Haque personally, Mr Deka said, “Soon after it was brought to my notice, I have asked the Barpeta SP to arrest him and briefed the chief minister who himself instructed the police to arrest the councillor.”
Informing that Congress councillor had nexus with senior police officers of the district, security sources said that PSOs of Haque has also been withdrawn. More than 30 houses were set on fire and above 800 got displaced in Khairabari area of Barpeta Road town in the violence, which broke out during the bandh on August 28.
The bandh had turned violent, as residents of the area had refused to observe the bandh. The mob led by Congress councillor is also accused to have lynched a 55-year old Gyanendra Mandal of Khairabari area to death.
Meanwhile, situation in violence hit Barpeta Road area was limping back to normal.