Assam: Students’ Unions demand justice for brutal murder and rape in Goalpara

The All Bodo Students and All Rabha Student Union expressed their deep sorrow and outrage today over the brutal murder of Hiranmoy Khakhlari, who was savagely attacked with a machete and bamboo on May 5. He succumbed to his injuries on May 16. This incident followed the rape of two minors in Dudhnoi on May 3 by the same group of perpetrators.

 

Representatives from the unions explained, "When the incident occurred, we conducted an investigation in Tangabari Village and found that Dhan Ali Talukdar, Bahar Ali, and Rahman Ali had attended a Bihu festival in Dudhnoi on May 3. During their visit, they raped two minors. On May 5, they attacked and murdered Hiranmoy Khakhlari."

 

The unions are demanding swift justice. "We insist that the cases against Dhan Ali Talukdar, Bahar Ali, and Rahman Ali be fast-tracked, and they should receive the harshest punishment, including the death penalty. Additionally, Shekhawar Ali and Parveena Begum, who were involved in the machete attack on Khakhlari, have been arrested, but arrest alone is not enough. They must be punished by law through a fast-track process."

 

All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) president Dipen Boro, along with representatives from the All Rabha Students' Union (ARSU), Sutradhar Students' Union, and Barman Kachari Students Union, visited Hiranmoy Khakhlari's residence to offer condolences. They condemned the incident as barbaric and called for stringent punishment for all involved.

 

Dipen Boro emphasized, "We urge that the accused never be granted bail for their heinous acts. We straightforwardly state that only people resembling 'Bangladeshi types' could commit such crimes."

 

The unions have appealed to the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Director General of Police to ensure that the culprits do not escape legal consequences. They also demanded compensation of Rs 20 lakh for Hiranmoy Khakhlari's family and Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the two rape victims.

 

Police sources revealed that Dhan Talukdar had a prior involvement in a rape case, further highlighting the necessity for stringent action.

 

Earlier on May 3, 2024, two teenage girls were allegedly gang raped by three miscreants in Goalpara’s Dudhnoi area. After committing the crime, the miscreants left the girls on the roadside. Following the incident, the victim’s family lodged a complaint at the police station, leading to the arrest of one main accused, Dhan Talukdar, while the other two miscreants managed to flee but were later apprehended by the police

 

However, on May 5, 2024, a violent scuffle took place when a group associated with the Village Defence Party (VDP) tried to question Dhan Talukdar’s family at their residence, following which a clash ensued, resulting in injuries to six individuals, including Khakhlari, who sustained grievous injurie.

 

 Following the incident, he was rushed to the hospital, and on last Friday he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in Guwahati. After the incident, police took immediate action and arrested the main accused’s brother-in-law, Shekabar Ali, and sister, Parbina Begum, on charges of murder.