SFI activist Sahil Khan, 20, has allegedthat Guwahati Police detained him, beat him and threatened to kill him on Oct. 13. The incident followed his participation in a protest against violence against women.
Khan, a Muslim first-semester Bachelor of Arts student at an open university, says police took him to Panbazar Police Station. He alleges officers used Islamophobic slurs and questioned why a Muslim joined the protest. Police released him around 9 pm.
Police intercepted Khan about 200 metres from Nehru Park, roughly 30 minutes after the Women’s Freedom March ended. He says officers asked for his scooter documents. He says the papers were in order. Officers then told him to come along and gave no reason.
Khan alleges two officers dragged him by his hair into the vehicle and beat him. “They asked me why I joined the protest, as I am a Muslim,” he told Maktoob. At the station, he says officers took him in through the back entrance and repeatedly called him ‘Miya’.
One officer allegedly said, “Tujhegayabkardenge,” meaning “We will make you disappear.” Another allegedly said, “We will kill you.” Khan says over 200 people attended the protest and police singled him out alone.
Utpola Das, SFI state joint secretary, questioned the medical examination. She alleged police took a longer route to the hospital and returned him to the station before release. She says protesters will pursue legal action.