Murshidabad Youth Assaulted in Silchar After Being Branded ‘Bangladeshi’

A man from Murshidabad in West Bengal was allegedly assaulted by a group of people in Silchar on Sunday morning (December 28) after being accused of being a Bangladeshi, triggering strong protests from several civil rights and social organisations in the Barak Valley.

The victim, identified as Rinku Sheikh, was attacked around 7.30 am near the junction of Hospital Road and Radhamadhab Road. Rinku earns his livelihood by selling daily-use items on a motorcycle in different areas of Barak Valley. According to him, a group of miscreants stopped him without provocation and began assaulting him while accusing him of being a Bangladeshi national.

Rinku said he tried to show his valid voter identity card and Aadhaar card to prove his identity, but the attackers refused to listen. As the situation worsened, he was forced to flee, leaving behind his motorcycle and goods on the road. His belongings were later recovered with the help of another local trader. He also alleged that the attackers were raising religious slogans during the assault.

After learning about the incident over the phone, members of Barak Union for Civil Liberties, Barak Democratic Front, Forum for Social Harmony and YASE reached out to the victim and accompanied him to Rangirkhari Police Station, where an FIR was filed. Rinku also underwent a medical examination.

Speaking to the media outside the police station, Rinku demanded strict punishment for those involved and appealed to the state government and the Chief Minister to ensure his safety. A local activist told reporters that Rinku narrowly escaped with his life and that all present had gathered to seek justice for him.

From the Forum for Social Harmony, Arindam Deb said that regardless of any allegation, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands. He strongly condemned the attack on an innocent working youth and demanded the immediate arrest of the accused.

Kalparnab Gupta, chief convenor of Barak Union for Civil Liberties, said such incidents were being deliberately carried out to disturb peace and communal harmony in the Barak Valley. He claimed that similar attacks on innocent workers were reported on Saturday morning at Capital Point and Ghaniwala as well. He warned that if the administration failed to take strict action against the perpetrators, the organisations would be forced to launch protests.

Recounting the incident, Rinku said the attackers first asked him to stop and then called him Bangladeshi. “They asked my address and beat me at the same time. After knowing I am from Murshidabad, they continued accusing me. Soon 10 to 12 people gathered. They kicked me all over my body, including my private parts. I had to run away leaving everything behind,” he said. He also questioned whether being a Muslim in India or working in another state was a crime and criticised the use of religion to spread hatred”