The Satra Mukti Sangram Samiti (SMSS) on Wednesday filed a complaint against Golaghat DSP Partha Pratim Saikia and Golaghat police station officer-in-charge Garga Narayan Bora for mercilessly beating up four leaders of the students’ body even as the Golaghat district bandh called by six organisations against the police brutality crippled normal life.

A police team led by DSP Saikia and OC Bora on Tuesday beat up four SMSS leaders–general secretary Bidyut Saikia, assistant general secretary Debabrat Saikia, Golaghat district committee president Mrinal Nath and Hirok Jyoti Saikia–when they came to the Golaghat Deputy Commissioner (DC)’s office to seek permission for organising a protest programme in connection with the Bogidhola Tea Estate firing incident.

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“Police mercilessly strike us with batons without any reason. Police treated us like criminals. The way they beat up it seems they have personal grudge on us,” said an SMSS leader.

He said they have filed the complaint against the officials seeking action against them.

The normal life in Golaghat district came to a total halt due to the bandh called by six organizations–SMSS, Chah Mukti Sangram Samiti (CMSS), Sangrami Yuba Parishad, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Parishad (AJYCP), Ahom Sena and Assam Minorities Students’ Union (AMSU)–in protest against the police brutality on the SMSS activists.

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The bandh supporters took to the streets and registered massive protests by burning tyres on roads at Numaligarh, Khumtai, Purabangla, Rongajan, Tetelitol, Bengenakhowa besides Golaghat town of the district.

During the bandha, all educational institutions–schools, colleges, banks and other commercials establishments remained closed.

The transportation of commercial vehicles including buses, trucks and others were off the roads during the bandh. Markets and other business establishments also remained closed.

Conscious citizens of the state demanded immediate action against DSP Saikia and OC Bora.

“The brutality demonstrated by police the students leaders in Golaghat on Tuesday is a threat to democracy. Action must be initiated against the police officials,” said a Golaghat resident.