Assam: Custodial death in Lakhimpur triggers protest; IC suspended, probe ordered

Following the death, the family of the deceased and other locals demonstrated a massive protest against the incident crying foul against the police.

The Assam Police has suspended an Inspector-in-Charge following a custodial death in Lakhimpur district.

Reports stated that an individual identified as Arbash Ali, 42, accused of buying a stolen mobile phone was arrested by the police. Following this he was lodged at the Khelmati Outpost.

However, Ali reportedly fell ill at the police station, collapsed and died.

Following the death, the family of the deceased and other locals staged a massive protest alleging foul play.

Taking strong exception to this, Assam DGP swiftly intervened into the matter and ordered for immediate suspension of the IC. In a post on X, the Assam DGP has also informed about other actions taken and wrote, “Reference death in police custody at Khelmati OP District North Lakhimpur – 1. IC of Khelmati OP has been placed under suspension along with on duty sentry at time of incident. 2. Independent Enquiry has been ordered by Addl SP Biswanath. 3. All mandatory provisions of law & directions of NHRC/AHRC are being followed 4. DIG NR has been directed to proceed to Khelmati immediately.”

https://x.com/DGPAssamPolice/status/1793500836225774040

A kin of the deceased said, “He was like a brother to me. He was fully fit, but brought to the police station and was killed. Police picked him up from his home and brought him to the police station before killing him. Why did they kill him? This is totally unacceptable.”

Another local said, “We don’t know what happened to him (Arbash Ali) after he was picked up by the police. But soon we came to know that he was no more. Whatever he might have done, but it is not justified to kill him inside the police station. Even if he is a thief, is it right to kill that person? He had purchased the phone, but he was not involved in theft.”

Earlier in 2023, 11 cases of custodial deaths in police custody were recorded in Assam during 2022-23 as per the data provided by the National Human Rights Commission.

According to the NHRC, the number of cases registered on custodial deaths in police custody in Assam during 2018-19 was 5, in 2019-20 it was 2, during 2020-21 the number was reduced to 1, before shooting up during 2021-22 to 9 and marking another increase in 2022-23 to 11.

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