Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Doomdooma: The Tinsukia district administration on Tuesday evening demolished a restaurant in Makum amid widespread protests following the death of a man who allegedly succumbed to injuries sustained in an assault earlier this month.
The action came hours after 45-year-old Mukut Urang of Gangabari Gate Line died at around 4 am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh.
The demolished establishment, Urban Taste Restaurant, had become the focus of public anger after Urang’s death. According to family members, he was allegedly assaulted on June 11.
News of his death triggered protests across Makum, with members of the All Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and members of the tea tribe community blocking National Highway 37 for several hours and demanding justice, compensation for the bereaved family and stringent action against those responsible.
ATTSA leaders said public demonstrations would continue until justice is delivered to the victim’s family.
Police sources said that during inspections conducted before the demolition, ‘banned meat’ was allegedly recovered from the restaurant premises. A pistol was also reportedly seized from the accused.
Amid mounting public pressure, Makum Police arrested restaurant proprietor Imran Siddiqui, a resident of Purana Bazar in Borhapjan. Authorities subsequently sealed the establishment before carrying out the demolition under tight security.
Heavy security deployment remained in place across Makum till the filing of this report, with police personnel maintaining vigil to prevent any deterioration of the law-and-order situation.