Latest news with #AssamPolice
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Watch: ‘Pushed' into Bangladesh at gunpoint, two Assam residents return to narrate their ordeal
As part of a sweeping crackdown on declared foreigners, the Assam government has forcibly pushed back over 300 people since May—many of whom claim they are Indian citizens. Most belong to the Bengali-origin Muslim community, long vilified as foreigners despite generations of residence in the state. Ufa Ali (68) from Morigaon district was picked up by Assam Police on May 23, while Shona Bhanu (59) from Barpeta was detained two days later, on May 25. They were taken to the police station and detained. What followed was a harrowing journey that ended with them being pushed across the Bangladesh border at gunpoint. Scroll travelled to Assam to hear their stories. 'We were made to travel all night,' Ufa Ali recalled. 'They took us to a BSF camp where we were given food. After food, everyone was handed 200 taka. We asked, 'Why are you giving us Bangladeshi currency?' They said, 'You will need this.' That's when we realised what was about to happen.' Both spent two nights at the Matia Detention Centre before being taken to a remote border crossing in the dead of night. Trapped in no man's land between India and Bangladesh, they were caught in a terrifying standoff. 'They were readying the guns. We thought they would kill us,' Ali said. 'They told us to enter [Bangladesh] or we would be shot. We were terrified. We had no option. We were forced to enter.' 'A group came and said, 'You are framing your own countrymen as Bangladeshi. Why are you firing at them? Why are you harassing Indians?'' Bhanu recounted. Despite the state's claims that these deportations are legal—based on Foreigners Tribunal orders—there are glaring inconsistencies. Shona Bhanu's deportation was stayed by the Supreme Court. Ufa Ali is listed in the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which was meant to be the definitive list of Indian citizens in Assam. Yet, on May 31, Assam's Chief Minister publicly confirmed: people declared foreigners by the tribunals were being "pushed back" into Bangladesh. The BSF and Assam police did not respond to Scroll's questions about Ali and Bhanu's return. Watch the full video report here: Play
Scroll.in
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Assam: 7 arrested after cattle skull allegedly found near prayer hall, says Himanta Sarma
Seven persons were arrested in Assam's Lakhimpur district after three cattle skulls were allegedly found near a prayer hall, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday. In a social media The arrested persons were identified as Monsur Ali (60), Mohammad Rejjak Ali (29), Saha Ali (48), Diluar Hussain (25), Dildar Hussain (30), Abu Kalam Ali (33) and Jahidul Islam (22). 'During a search at Monsur Ali's residence, three additional cattle skulls were recovered and seized,' the chief minister claimed in a social media post. An investigation into the incident and 'technical analysis' is underway, Sarma added. This comes days after at least 60 persons were arrested over the course of a week in connection with the communal tensions that broke out in the state's Dhubri town on June 8. The tensions had erupted after the remains of an animal were discovered near a Hindu temple. Sarma had claimed that the animal remains found near the temple on June 8 were part of the head of a cow. On June 13, the state government issued nighttime shoot-at-sight orders in Dhubri to bring the situation under control. The chief minister claimed that the next day, another severed animal head was found in front of the temple premises, which sparked violence. The persons arrested in the Dhubri incident have been booked under non-bailable offences. On June 15, Biswa said that the Assam Police had arrested five persons for allegedly throwing beef near a temple in Goalpara.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Cops, SDRF personnel to ensure safety of devotees attending Ambubachi Mela
Guwahati: As the city prepares to host the annual Ambubachi Mahayog, one of the largest spiritual congregations held at the Kamakhya temple, Assam Police on Monday announced a series of measures that will be put in place to ensure safety of the devotees. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Every year, the temple draws over 20 lakh pilgrims from different states and countries, with numbers steadily increasing in recent times. However, the Nilachal hill — where the temple is located — remains prone to landslides, having witnessed several such incidents in the past. The alternate route to the temple, which goes through Pandu college road, will also remain closed. City police commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta said in the landslide vulnerable zones, police officers and State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) personnel would be stationed to ensure the safety of devotees. Mahanta added that the road leading to the temple will remain accessible to devotees from 5 am to 6 am from June 22. He said entry would be prohibited beyond official hours for safety and crowd control. "The devotees will commence their pilgrimage on foot from the foothills, as vehicular movement will be restricted after a certain point. City traffic police has also planned specific routes to manage traffic," the commissioner added. He said security arrangements for this year's congregation have been strengthened compared to previous years. This is in view of the significant rise in the number of devotees, particularly over the last two years, when attendance crossed 22 to 24 lakh. "Every year, we see large groups of pilgrims arriving in clusters, often leading to chaos that inconveniences locals and others in the area. This time, we will ensure that such disruptions are avoided and the spiritual atmosphere of the Mahayog remains undisturbed," he added. For the four-day-long event, the gates of the sanctum santorum will be closed from 2.56 pm on June 22 to the morning hours of June 26. Mahanta added that no VVIP passes will be issued during the event, and for two days after the conclusion.
Scroll.in
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Five arrested in Assam's Goalpara for allegedly throwing beef near temple, says CM
The Assam Police have arrested five persons for allegedly throwing beef near a temple in Goalpara in a 'deliberate attempt to incite communal tension', Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. In a post on X, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said that Bodir Ali, Hazarat Ali, Tara Mia, Shajamal Mia and Jahangir Alom, all residents of Lakhipur, were arrested for attempting to incite tensions after the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Zuha. 'A case has been registered and strict action is being taken to ensure all such elements face the full force of the law,' Sarma said. This comes after at least 60 persons were arrested over the course of a week in connection with communal tensions that broke out in Dhubri on June 8. The tensions had erupted after the remains of an animal were discovered near a temple. On June 13, the state government issued nighttime shoot-at-sight orders in Dhubri to bring the situation under control. Sarma had claimed that the animal remains found near the temple on June 8 were part of the head of a cow. The chief minister claimed that the next day, another severed animal head was found in front of the temple premises, which sparked violence. Widespread protests had broken out in Dhubri on June 8 morning, with a large number of residents blocking a road adjacent to the temple. They shouted slogans and burnt tyres as part of their demonstration. Deputy Commissioner Dibakar Nath issued orders prohibiting five or more persons from gathering in Dhubri town. The administration had also banned rallies, processions, meetings and demonstrations. The situation was brought under control by June 10 and the prohibitory orders were withdrawn. On Friday, the chief minister had also claimed that a day before Bakri Eid, which was celebrated on June 7, a poster showing Dhubri to be part of Bangladesh was found in the town. Sarma alleged that a group was attempting to spread tensions in the area.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- New Indian Express
38 arrested in Assam's Dhubri after 'cow head' at Hanuman temple sparks communal tensions
GUWAHATI: The Assam Police has arrested 38 people for attempting to create communal disturbance in Dhubri by placing two heads of cows near a Hanuman temple after Bakrid. Taking to X, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted, '38 arrested overnight in the Dhubri beef head incident.' The arrests were made during his visit to the lower Assam district bordering Bangladesh and his direction for issuance of a shoot-at-sight order. On Friday, he told media in Dhubri that the elements trying to foment unrest would be dealt with sternly. 'Somebody had kept a cow head at a Hanuman temple a day after Bakrid. People from both the communities discussed the matter peacefully. However, another cow head was found at the temple the next day,' he said. Sarma said Nabin Bangla, a group that wants Dhubri's inclusion in Bangladesh, put up three posters in the town on the eve of Eid. The posters indicate involvement of a force from Bangladesh, he said.
