Barpeta (Assam): A man – 19 years old – of Betbari village in Assam’s Goalpara, was killed and at least four were severely injured in firing by police today (July 17). The firing took place at the Paikan Reserve Forest area during villagers’ protest against an ongoing eviction drive there. Locals have alleged that the eviction drive primarily targeted Muslim families.
The teenager who lost is life is Sakuar Ali. A 27-year-old, Kasimuddin, is undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and is understood to be in a critical condition.
On July 12, authorities demolished the houses of 1,080 Muslim families in the area, claiming that they were encroaching upon the Paikan Reserve Forest. Locals dispute his claim and allege that it is a revenue village. Residents of this region are primarily Muslims of East Bengal origin, who have reclaimed the pejorative term once used for them – ‘Miya’ – and call themselves Miya Muslims.
While many displaced residents left after the drive, several stayed behind and took shelter under makeshift tarpaulin tents. Many who stayed back tried to retrieve iron rods, bricks, and other material from the rubble of their demolished homes over the course of the following days. Locals alleged that police repeatedly pressured them to vacate the site, dismantled several of these temporary shelters and destroyed their belongings.
Abul Kalam, 27, of Asudubi revenue village, lost his home in the eviction drive and has since been living under a makeshift tent in the village. He said that “thousands of police personnel were deployed in the area” and that “it is still a curfew-like situation.”
Tension escalated on the morning of July 17 when officials brought an excavator to the Betbari area, reportedly to dig up a road and cut off access to the site. Protesting residents gathered to resist the move.
Members of the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) and Satra Mukti Sangram Samiti (SMSS) also joined.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.