A joint delegation, comprising national and state leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (JUH) and Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) on September 26 visited Assam to assess the situation at ground zero after the alleged forced evacuation and ensuing police firing which resulted in the death of 2 persons at Dholpur in Darrang district. The delegation was also accompanied by the MLAs of the AIUDF. The joint delegation met the District Magistrate of Darrang, IAS officer Prabhati Thaosen and presented her with a memorandum of demands.
The DM expressed her sorrow and pain over the incident and sought the help of the community leaders to diffuse the situation. The delegation demanded adequate compensation be paid to the family members of the deceased, proper medical treatment be given to the injured and land be allotted at the earliest to the displaced families.
She assured them, “Compensation could be given only after proper investigation is done and the persons are found innocent. As far as patients are concerned, we are giving treatment to them at the Government Hospital. Land allotment would be done only through the proper procedure which will take time. Till this time, they have been given temporary land. Water facilities, toilets and medical assistance have been provided to them as of now.”
The delegation also met Mr. Sushanta Biswa Sarma, Superintendent of Police of Darrang district. Presenting his viewpoint, the SP said that the police resorted to firing in self-defence. The delegation presented their version of the chain of events to the narrative of self-defence by the police. The delegation opined that there was a disproportionate use of force against unarmed civilians and this was unfair and inhuman. Much more restraint was required from the police. The delegation appreciated the sharing of pain and sorrow by the DM but were not satisfied over the SP condoning the brute use of force. SP Biswa Sarma assured the delegation that he will do his best in maintaining peace and harmony. JIH was represented by its Vice President S. Ameenul Hasan and National Secretary Shafi Madni. President of SIO Mohammed Salman was also part of the delegation.