Clashes Erupt in Assam Over Eviction Drive; Fatalities and Injuries Reported
Violence Erupts During Eviction in Assam
In a tragic incident, one individual lost their life and multiple others sustained injuries when Assam Police opened fire on protesters during an eviction operation in the Betbari region of Goalpara district. Among the injured were at least two police officers.
The eviction drive, which took place on Saturday, resulted in the clearance of 140 hectares of land in the Paikan Reserve Forest, displacing approximately 1,080 families, predominantly Muslims of Bengali descent. Following the eviction, these families have been forced to live in tents and makeshift shelters, which officials have instructed them to dismantle. Tensions escalated on Thursday when authorities destroyed the road that connected the settlement.
Historical Clarification from Bangladesh Government
The government of Bangladesh has clarified that a building being demolished in the Mymensingh district does not have any historical ties to filmmaker Satyajit Ray. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that a thorough investigation into archival records confirmed that the land is government property.
While the road adjacent to the house is named after Satyajit Ray’s great-grandfather, the ministry emphasized that the Ray family sold the property long ago, and it no longer belongs to them. The current structure, deemed unsafe and unusable, was built by a new owner.
Karnataka Police Under Fire After Stadium Stampede
The Karnataka government has informed the High Court that police officials acted inappropriately during the stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in eleven fatalities on June 4. The state claimed that officers were more focused on organizing celebrations for the Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bengaluru than ensuring public safety.
The government also defended the suspension of Additional Commissioner of Police Vikash Kumar Vikash, accusing him of neglecting his responsibilities and causing public distress.
Delhi High Court Dismisses FIRs Against Tablighi Jamaat Hosts
The Delhi High Court has annulled 16 first information reports against 70 individuals who hosted foreign nationals during the Tablighi Jamaat gathering in March 2020. These individuals faced charges under various laws, including the Indian Penal Code and the Epidemic Diseases Act.
The congregation took place just before a nationwide lockdown was imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The court questioned the police's claims regarding the lockdown violations, highlighting the impracticality of the situation.
Bihar Chief Minister Announces Free Electricity Ahead of Elections
In a significant move ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared that consumers will receive up to 125 units of electricity free of charge starting from the July billing cycle.
Additionally, Kumar announced plans to install solar power systems on the rooftops of all domestic consumers or nearby public areas over the next three years, with the state covering costs for extremely poor families. This announcement comes as opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav has promised to provide 200 units of free electricity if his party wins the elections.