Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Doomdooma: A routine theft case involving betel nuts escalated into a tense law-and-order situation after a crowd surrounded a police outpost in Talap under Doomdooma Police Station in Tinsukia district, allegedly attacking police personnel and injuring officers during the confrontation. police said on Sunday.
A case (No. 57/26) has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to theft, possession of stolen property, and assault on public servants.
“We are dealing with both the theft and the subsequent violence with equal seriousness, and strict legal action is underway,” a police official said.
The incident followed a complaint lodged by a resident of Kopratuli in Talap. Acting on the complaint, police apprehended three juveniles, aged between 13 and 16, who were allegedly attempting to steal betel nuts. Further investigation led to the detention of another individual accused of purchasing the stolen produce.
Tension escalated soon after, as a large number of local residents gathered at the outpost and began protesting. The situation turned volatile, with sections of the crowd reportedly manhandling police personnel during the confrontation.
Police later arrested another individual in connection with the attack. Altogether, five persons have been taken into custody. While two adults were remanded to judicial custody, the three juveniles were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and subsequently sent to a reform facility.
Officials said the episode reflects a recurring seasonal challenge in the district, where rising betel nut prices during the harvest period often lead to thefts and informal trade networks.
Police have stepped up surveillance in vulnerable areas to prevent such incidents. Authorities have also appealed to residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, warning that any violence against public servants will invite stringent action.