A high-level committee has been formed to look into the police action against the accused in the Batadrava Police Station arson case that shook Assam in 2022.
This was informed in the High Court by the Advocate General of the Assam government. The committee will be headed by the Chief Secretary of Assam.
The Assam government informed the court that action will be taken against those found guilty in the matter within 15 days.
Meanwhile, the court has asked the government to look into the matter of a payable financial compensation to the victim. Moreover, the government has also been directed to submit a report mentioning the action taken against the guilty officials.
It may be noted that on May 21, 2022, the Nagaon district administration initiated an eviction drive at Batadrava after the incidents of violence in the region in the previous days.
The Batadrava police station was set on fire by locals enraged by the custodial death of one person lodged at the police station.
As many as three residences, belonging to some of the prime accused in violent outbursts that led to unruly scenes at the Batadrava police station, were razed to ground.
According to reports, media persons were not allowed near the site of the eviction drive. Meanwhile, the district administration did not immediately provide a reason behind the eviction.
Security around the Batadrava police station had been beefed up following the incidents of violence.
Locals set fire to the old police station building, angered by the death of a person in police custody. They also pelted stones at window panes of the newly constructed building nearby causing much damage.
A mob of men and women had also allegedly misbehaved and manhandled with police personnel present there and assaulted a few of them.
Moreover, the station in-charge of Batadrava police station was placed under suspension with immediate effect following the incidents.
According to orders from the deputy inspector general (DIG) of central Assam police, Satyaraj Hazarika, Kumud Gogoi, station in-charge, was suspended over the custodial death of a person.
The person, who died in custody, was identified as Safiqul Islam, a resident of Salonabari in Dhing.
According to allegations made by the locals, Safiqul was beaten to death in police custody after he had refused to pay the bribe demanded by officials of the police station.
Massive damages were caused due to the fire as vehicles, arms and ammunition, and important documents were completely gutted.
As many as 17 people including 14 women had been arrested for setting fire to the police station based on video evidence of the incident, reports added.
