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Guwahati / New Delhi, Aug 2: Several students’ unions and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Wednesday demanded a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the killing of All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU) leader Lafikul Islam.
The ABMSU and All Minority Students’ Union (AMSU) on Wednesday held road blockades in different parts of Assam demanding a CBI probe into Islam’s brutal killing. They condemned the failure of the police to maintain law and order in Kokrajhar district where Islam was shot dead in broad daylight by unidentified persons on Tuesday. At some places, protesters even burned tyres. Against the killing of Islam, students have been protesting in different parts of Assam for the last 24 hours.
Condemning Islam’s killing Delhi Action Committee for Assam in a statement said: “We strongly condemn the brutal assassination of ABMSU president Lafiqul Islam Ahmed in broad daylight at Titaguri bazaar, Kokrajhar. Shallow promises of Assam government will not suffice, we demand that a free and fair investigation be instituted and justice be delivered at the earliest.”
Students protest against Islam’s killing at Kokrajhar (Photo – tweeted by AIR News)
Badruddin Ajmal meets Rijiju, demands CBI probe
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief and Lok Sabha Member Maulana Badruddin Ajmal met Minister of state for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju here in New Delhi and also demanded a CBI enquiry into Islam’s killing.
While strongly condemning Lafiqul Islam’s killing he said, “He was a progressive youth leader. I urge the Govt to take the issue with utmost importance and bring the culprits to book. Also the Government should ensure that no untoward incident takes place following Lafiqul’s killing.”
He also urged people in Assam particularly in BTAD area to maintain peace. “No untoward incident should take place following the assassination of Lafiqul Islam,” he said.
Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered at Islam’s house in Salakati on Wednesday to take part in the last rites.
Lafikul Islam (Photo – NorthEast Today)
Assam DGP rushed to Kokrajhar
Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay, who had rushed to Kokrajhar last night, reviewed the situation with the top police officials in the district on Wednesday and assured people to book the culprits soon.
“It is too early to pin point to anyone as of now. There could be involvement of militants or there could be some other angle. We are working on all the angles to trace the culprits,” he told media persons in Kokrajhar on Wednesday.
“A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the killing and police are working on to trace the culprits,” he said, adding Islam was shot at with small arms.
Sahay noted that the student leader was given three personal security officers, but was without them when the attack took place. “The attackers must have taken advantage of his decision to roam without the PSOs,” he said.
He said additional forces have been deployed in and around the district so that the situation does not go beyond control.
Admitting that there are illegal arms in Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD) region, he said that police have been launching continuous operation against the menace and lots of illegal arms have already been seized by police and security forces.
Assam Chief Minister condemns Islam’s killing
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had also rushed Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma and Excise Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya to Kokrajhar to take stock of the situation there.
He also condemned Islam’s killing.
“I strongly condemn the killing of ABMSU president Lafikul Islam. Directed Assam police DGP to visit Kokrajhar & do a thorough investigation,” Sonowal tweeted Tuesday evening.
(With Inputs from IANS)
