Golaghat: The death of a ‘mentally challenged’ man, who succumbed to his injuries on Sunday at Jorhat Medical College (JMCH) in Assam after being shot by police during an altercation in Kumarpatty on April 30, has sparked massive outrage and demands for a fair investigation.
Baba Shyam alias Baba, accused of assaulting two people with sharp weapons, was shot by police attempting to control the situation.
However, family members and locals are questioning the use of lethal force, highlighting Baba Shyam’s reported mental health struggles.
“The police shouldn’t have shot him in the face, they could have aimed for his leg,” said a distraught cousin of the deceased.
“He leaves behind a dependent family – a mother, wife, two daughters, and a son. The Assam government needs to investigate this. The police must answer for their actions. We demand justice. He suffered from a mental illness and became aggressive after consuming alcohol,” the cousin said.
Echoing these sentiments, Baba Shyam’s mother lamented the loss of her only son and urged intervention from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
“He was my only son. How will I survive now? Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma needs to look into this. This is an injustice by the Assam police,” she said.
This incident has triggered a wider conversation about police conduct and the rights of individuals with mental health issues.
As calls for justice intensify, the Assam government and state police face mounting pressure to address the public’s concerns surrounding the circumstances of Babashyam’s death.