Alleged Drug Mafia Attacks Mizoram University Researcher in Dholai

A post-doctoral fellow of Mizoram University, Dr Yahea Baktiar Laskar, was allegedly assaulted by suspected drug mafia members in the Lailapur area under Dholai in Assam’s Cachar district on Saturday, March 28, at around 1:30 PM. The attack took place after Yahea accidentally busted the alleged drug packaging facility in the village, and the peddlers thought he was an enforcement officer on a raid.

According to Laskar, the incident occurred when Yahea had returned to his native village in Howaithang to attend his sister’s wedding and was travelling with his mother. Their vehicle was reportedly stopped on a village road after finding it blocked by 4–5 cars.

“While I was travelling with my mother and was going via my village road to reach the main road, that road was blocked by 4–5 cars. I honked for a long time for them to move, but no one responded. There was a building nearby, and people were peeping from there, but they didn’t come out,” Laskar said.

He further alleged that when he approached a nearby house to inquire about the vehicles, a group of 8–10 individuals suddenly attacked him. “They asked me why I had entered the premises, but without listening to me, they attacked me and vandalised my vehicle. They had sticks and rods with them,” he added.

Laskar said his mother fled the scene, fearing for her safety and rushed to their village to seek help. “In the meantime, I tried to run away from them, and later, with the help of my village locals, I was saved from the brutal attack,” he stated. He was then rushed to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital for treatment anda care.

When asked about the motive behind the assault, Laskar claimed that locals suspect drug-related activities in the area. “I don’t stay here, but I have heard from the locals that they pack drugs in that house, so they thought I was there for a raid,” he said.

The incident reportedly occurred along the boundary road between Howaithang and Rajghat villages.

Highlighting the prevailing situation, Laskar alleged, “In South Dholai village, there is a lot of drug menace, and we just want to live in peace and respect. The drug mafia is very violent, and we can’t go out of our homes. The same is the condition of Bagha Bazar. They act like mafias and make life hell for common people like us.”

An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident at Dholai Police Station. Laskar has named seven individuals—Aimul Haque Choudhury, Islam Uddin Choudhury, Mustak Uddin Choudhury, Hasfa Begum Choudhury, Rafson Uddin Choudhury, Sahalam Choudhury, and Ansar Uddin Choudhury—while three others remain unidentified.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.