The public hearing of the January 25 incident at Maibang in Assam’s Dima Hasao district where two unarmed protestors were killed in police firing was conducted on Tuesday.
Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, V B Pyarelal, recorded statements of representatives of various organizations and general public on the incident when police opened unprovoked firing on locals protesting at the Maibang railway station against inclusion of parts of Dima Hasao district in proposed Nagalim resulting in the death of two youth.
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The public hearing took place at Dishru Cultural Club of Maibang.
A memorandum was also submitted to the Additional Secretary demanding immediate removal of Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner Debajyoti Hajarika, ACS and his arrest.
Three of the injured in the police firing, Bishal Hojai, Thoushring Hojai and Joyjit Daolagupu also deposed before the Additional Chief Secretary during the public hearing and gave elaborate details of the entire incident on that fateful day.
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Bishal Hojai presented a visual description of how the police pounced on the protestors without prior warning and started firing on them.
Members of Dimasa Students’ Union, Jadike Naiso Hosom, Dimasa Mothers’ Association were present in the public hearing.
Later talking to Northeast Now, the Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, V B Pyarelal said all the statements taken on Tuesday have been recorded and the memorandum along with written complaints were also accepted.
He further assured that the report will be submitted soon.
Meanwhile, former legislator Samarjit Haflongbar has expressed his gratitude to Assam Chief Minsiter Sarbananda Sonowal for initiating an inquiry into the whole incident and also demanded immediate arrest of Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner Debajyoti Hajarika, who had ordered the police to open fire immediately on his arrival at the scene of protest on that day which was otherwise peaceful till that point of time.
On the other hand, Kalyan Daulagupu, president of Jadike Naisho Hosom, the apex body of the Dimasa has warned of continuing agitation if prompt action is not taken against the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, Dima Hasao district.