Himanta orders probe into Nagaon cop firing

Guwahati: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday directed additional chief secretary Paban Kumar Borthakur to conduct an inquiry into the police firing in Nagaon district on Saturday, which left a former All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) worker with bullet injuries, and submit his report within seven days.
Earlier, hundreds of youths staged a protest in front of Nagaon Sadar police station demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident and suspension of superintendent of police Anand Mishra.Protesters also questioned about safety of common people.
Sarma told mediapersons here, “Strict action will be taken if Assam Police are found guilty in the case. Certainly, the additional chief secretary will also hear the version of Assam Police.”
He added, “Assam Police should act as friends of common people. This should be the role of Assam Police. They should play the role of saviour of innocent people. At the same time, they must be strict against criminals. But no question of tolerance arises if Assam Police becomes strict against innocent people.”
The incident took place at Kachalukhua area in Nagaon on Saturday night when Kirti Kamal Bora, who was returning home from a pharmacy, intervened after he saw a few police personnel in plain-clothes beating up two persons and questioning them. Bora claimed that he could not recognise them as policemen. Bora alleged that he was thrashed by the police personnel, who were allegedly in an inebriated condition, and shot him on his knee.
However, Nagaon SP Mishra said, “Police had to open fire on Bora in self-defence after he had attacked the police personnel with his helmet.” Congress leader Rakibul Hussain said, “If the victim’s version is 100% true, then the incident is an indication of a dangerous future.”
Aasu general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah in a statement demanded a judicial inquiry into the case.