Assam: Five detained, Digboi shuts down after tea garden worker dies in alleged assault

Assam’s Digboi town remained shut on February 13 following a bandh call by the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) and the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) to protest the alleged killing of a tea garden worker at the Chariali fish market.

The shutdown was called after Budheshwar Gorh, a resident of Bogapani Tea Estate belonging to the tea tribe community, died following an alleged assault by a group of traders. All business establishments in the town remained closed, bringing normal life to a standstill.

Police have detained five persons in connection with the incident. The detainees have been identified as Sher Khan, Ramzan Khan, Ajit Ali, Chano Bhattacharya and Vikram Sahani.

According to sources, Budheshwar had gone to the fish market around 5 am on February 11 along with two companions to collect discarded vegetables to feed pigs as part of his daily routine. During this time, a section of traders allegedly accused them of stealing fish and attacked the trio.

While two of his companions managed to escape, Budheshwar was reportedly caught and severely beaten. He was taken in a critical condition to Digboi Police Station and later admitted to Digboi Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Following the news of his death, members of ATTSA and AASAA, along with local residents, gathered at the hospital demanding strict action against those responsible. The organisations also demanded the arrest of all others involved in the incident and sought capital punishment for the accused.