”Constables didn’t fire but got attacked by dao,” Karimganj SP; Tussle between merchant and Police over curfew restrictions

In Karimganj’s Bhanga Bazar area, a tussle broke between the locals merchants and Police officials. Two different versions emerged from the spot yesterday and the matter remains a concern.

Locals in the area alleged that the Police exhibited brute force and threatened to open fire. The Police, on the other hand, said that they were obstructed while performing their duties. Yesterday, according to Police, during patrolling constables Amin Uddin Laskar and Badrul Hussain Laskar saw that a shop is open and operating its business during the curfew. Malua Police Station’s OC, Nabajyoti Borah informed that Abdul Mannan kept his shop opened and refused to shut, “Instead started hurling abuses at the Police officials,” said the OC.

He added, “Only after Abdul Mannan attacked Police officials with sharp weapons, the Police resorted to charge. The incident has been reported to the higher authorities.”

Soon after the incident took place, rumours started spreading that the Police opened fire. Picture of a man’s bleeding hand went viral with the caption that he got injured in Police firing. “Police did not open fire at anyone,” said Superintendent of Police, Karimganj, Padmanava Baruah. He condemned the incident. “The Police constables are doing their duty. They are going the extra mile to ensure that the curfew norms are followed. An attack on Police while they were doing their duties is unfortunate and won’t be tolerated,” said the SP.

He added, “The constables were attacked with a Dao by Abdul Manman and we will register an attempt to murder case against him. Action will be taken against him as per law.”

Meanwhile, Merchants association of “Bhanga Choumatha” blamed the Police for the incident. Kamrul Islam and Manjur Ahmed of the association said that Abdul Mannan was not operating his shop but had visited it for some work. “He informed Police constables that he is here for some urgent work and will shut the shop soon. But the constables started abusing and manhandling him. Is this the way one must treat a businessman? There was no need for the Police to exert force on him and make it such a big issue,” they added.

Police informed that all three of them are under treatment at hospital and the matter will be investigated.