The Golaghat district committee of the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) has announced a district-wide bandh on February 28, protesting the alleged failure of the police to arrest all those involved in a brutal moral policing incident involving a minor.
The decision was announced at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Golaghat Tea Tribes office. ATTSA leaders expressed strong resentment over what they termed delayed and incomplete police action, despite the seriousness of the case in which a 15-year-old boy was allegedly tied with a rope, stripped, and subjected to severe physical torture before being left in critical condition.
As part of the protest, the organisation also declared that effigies of Golaghat Superintendent of Police Rajen Singh would be burnt on Thursday at six locations across the district—Golaghat, Bokakhat, Sarupathar, Dergaon, Khumtai and Sarupathar—under the banner of ATTSA.
While the police have so far arrested seven accused in connection with the incident, ATTSA alleged that several other perpetrators are still absconding. The victim, identified as Rameswar Barhoi, a Class IX student from Butolikhowa area under Khumtai, is currently undergoing treatment at Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital in Golaghat.
According to available information, the minor was allegedly lured to a particular location over a relationship-related matter, where he was assaulted brutally. A video of the incident was also reportedly circulated on social media, triggering widespread outrage.
Golaghat district ATTSA president Sushil Kalindi and secretary Manoj Mahananda, along with the presidents and secretaries of six sub-branches of the district committee, were present during the press meet and reiterated their demand for the immediate arrest of all those involved and strict punishment for the culprits.
