Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Guwahati, Oct 15 (IANS) Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday expressed strong concern over the “unprecedented and unfortunate” scenes outside the Baksa district jail, urged people to maintain peace and pointed out lapses in law enforcement.
In a statement, Gogoi said the people of Assam are united in demanding justice for late singer Zubeen Garg and stressed the need for a “thorough and impartial investigation” into his death.
Appealing to citizens to maintain calm and patience in these sensitive times, he said, “Justice can be achieved only through the legal process. Taking law into one’s own hands will not serve that purpose.”
The APCC chief blamed both the police and the home department for not anticipating the unrest.
“It was the responsibility of the law enforcement machinery to assess the situation and take preventive measures. Their failure contributed to what we saw today,” Gogoi said.
Expressing concern over reports of journalists being seriously injured while covering the incident, he condemned the setting on fire of a vehicle belonging to a regional media house.
He said attacks on media personnel were “completely unacceptable” and urged authorities to ensure their safety.
Gogoi called on all stakeholders to act responsibly and let the law take its course and stressed that violence would only deepen the crisis.
Notably, violent protests broke out outside Baksa district jail today after five accused in the Zubeen Garg death case were brought to the jail under heavy police security.
In view of the rising tension, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) to prevent further unrest.
The situation became volatile when an agitated mob gathered outside the Baksa District Jail complex demanding that the two accused – festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahant and Zubeen Garg manager Siddharth Sharma – be produced before the public.
The mob pelted stones, injuring a woman police officer and damaging several vehicles in the police convoy. Security forces used batons to disperse the protesters and several persons were detained for unlawful assembly.
District Magistrate Gautam Das immediately issued an order banning all types of public meetings, rallies, demonstrations and processions within 500 meters of Buxa jail.
The order also bans carrying weapons like sticks, daggers, spears and swords as well as throwing any inflammable substance including stones or firecrackers.
The directive cites apprehensions of “breach of public peace and tranquility due to the disturbed situation observed near District Jail, Nikshi, Baksa”, and warns that any violation will be subject to strict legal action under relevant provisions of law. The restrictive measures came into effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
Officials confirmed that the court directed Mahanta and Sharma to be kept in Baksa District Jail instead of Guwahati Central Jail, citing security concerns and the need for increased surveillance.
The other three accused, Sandipan Garg and private security officers Nandeshwar Bora and Paresh Baishya, were also sent to judicial custody and brought to the same facility.
–IANS
sleep/and