Addl.CS conducts inquiry into Hailakandi clashes

Inquiry

Hailakandi, June 10, 2019:

Additional Chief Secretary, Rajiv Kumar Bora, the single member of the Commission of Inquiry, constituted by Assam Government to probe the causes for law and order disturbances following the group clashes and vandalism that occurred on May 10 this year heard witnesses in Hailakandi town on Monday.

The one-man Inquiry Commission conducted the public hearing at the Circuit House here since morning in which individuals, eyewitnesses, groups, organizations and associations deposed before it.

Group clashes and vandalism took place in Hailakandi town on the first Friday prayers of Ramadan that witnessed torching of houses and vehicles. Police had to resort to firing to stop the rampaging mob in which one person died and several sustained injuries. Curfew was clamped for several days together in Hailakandi town and subsequently extended to the entire district to bring the situation under control.

The district administration organized meetings with leading citizens, media persons, political representatives, and organizations and brought out rallies appealing for peace and communal harmony.

In the aftermath of the clashes and vandalism, various civil society groups appealed to the government to conduct an inquiry into it.

Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary, Bora inspected the sites in Hailakandi town where violence erupted. Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli, Superintendent of Police, Mohneesh Mishra and other officials accompanied the Additional Chief Secretary.

A total of 131 affidavits have been filed before the Commission by individuals and organizations, which included the Nagorik Adhikar Suroksha Somity, the Hailakandi Merchants' Association, Ramkrishna Seva Samiti, District Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat and Udaan.

The hearing has been going on till the filing of this report.