Protests Erupt in Bodoland Over Delayed Justice for Lafiqul Islam Ahmed
Protests Across Bodoland Territorial Region
ABMSU staging protest and demonstration across ten districts of BTR on Tuesday (Photo: AT)
Tamulpur, July 28: Protests have surged in various areas of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on Tuesday, fueled by frustrations over the perceived lack of progress in the investigation into the 2017 murder of Lafiqul Islam Ahmed, the former president of the All Bodo Minority Students' Union (ABMSU). The student organization has accused authorities of failing to provide transparency regarding the case.
In response to a statewide call from the ABMSU, demonstrators from the Tamulpur district blocked the Rangia-Bhutan National Highway at Dwarakuchi. Similar protests unfolded in nine additional districts within the BTR.
Protesters, equipped with banners and placards, chanted slogans demanding the immediate arrest of all individuals implicated in the murder and the release of findings from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
During the gathering, ABMSU president Tyson Hussain emphasized that the organization has escalated its protests as the quest for justice for Lafiqul Islam Ahmed approaches its eighth year without resolution.
"Yesterday, three opposition MLAs brought up the issue of justice for Lafiqul Islam in the Assembly, and the Assam government claimed that six suspects related to the case have been apprehended. However, neither the public nor the victim's family or the ABMSU were informed about these arrests," Hussain stated.
He expressed concerns over the lack of transparency, urging the government to reveal the identities of the six arrested individuals, their current legal status, and the actions taken against them.
"The case was transferred to the CBI in November 2017 at the Centre's directive. Since then, we have held numerous protests advocating for justice. If six individuals have indeed been arrested, why was this information kept from us?" he questioned.
Hussain also referenced a CBI statement from August 2, 2021, which identified Bhadreshwar Basumatary, Rupa Brahma, and Dinku Musahari as suspects in the murder.
He noted that the CBI subsequently filed a chargesheet against eight suspects in a special court in Kamrup (Metro), while three others were declared proclaimed offenders, with standing warrants issued for their arrest.
Hussain further raised concerns about how one of the accused managed to secure bail despite the CBI's chargesheet in what he termed a serious case.
"We question the Assam government, the CBI, and the Central government regarding how an accused in such a significant case could obtain bail. We believe this is a politically motivated murder, and there are political interests at play attempting to protect those responsible," he asserted.
The ABMSU reported that coordinated protests took place across ten districts in the BTR, including Kajalgaon, Bhergaon, Tamulpur, Bijni, Udalguri, Mushalpur, Halbari, Kokrajhar, Gossaigaon, and Parbatjhora, all demanding accountability and a renewed commitment to securing justice for Ahmed.