GUWAHATI, 27 July 2003 — Assam state Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the police firing that led to eight students being killed on Friday at Kachubeel village, 70 km from Guwahati. Gogoi government came under attack yesterday for the “police excesses.”
Describing the incident as “brutal”, president of the main opposition Asom Gana Parishad Brindabon Goswami said, “Today we find the police resorting to firing at the slightest provocation. This is a brutal government.” Gogoi said, “We shall investigate the matter and action will be taken if anyone is found guilty of committing excesses.”
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rockybul Hussain visited the area to take stock of the situation and instructed the administration to take steps to prevent further violence.
Police claimed that they resorted to firing in self-defense when supporters of All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) pelted them with stones. This Friday, in response to a bandh call of AASAA, a group of adivasis tried to close down shops at Kachubeel. The bandh was called to demand scheduled caste status for adivasis.
Tension surfaced when the All Bodo Students Union resisted the bandh call and police arrived on the scene. Several hundred AASAA supporters were trying to close down shops and businesses when police intervened. The mob, armed with spears and machetes, attacked the police and stoned police vehicles prompting the firing, an official said.Claiming that the officer in charge and sub-inspector of Panery police station, besides six constables were injured in the attack, sources said, police resorted to firing. While seven students died on the spot, another succumbed to injuries later and at least nine were seriously injured. in the police firing Eight policemen were also injured.The police firing provoked the adivasis to go on a rampage and attack the local ABSU office, sources said.
