Miscreants set ablaze retired Assam Oil Division official’s car: Tinsukia, Assam.

Our Correspondent

DIGBOI, July 16: In a bizarre incident that took place recently in the development area under Tinsukia Police Station, a private car (Grand i-10) bearing registration number AS23 T 3910 and belonging to a retired AOD official, Rashananda Handique, was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants at his residence. According to Handique, who had shifted to Tinsukia after his retirement in the year 2007, the incident took place in between late night on Friday when the family members were in deep slumber. Though the fire was doused by the fire tender later, the vehicle was completely burnt.

“This was the second attempt within a fortnight to harm my personnel property,” said Handique, adding, “Earlier on June 1 during our absence, miscreants had lit a fire near the washing machine in the verandah, probably with the intention of torching the whole building. The active and timely assistance of neighbours helped averting a disaster.”

According to sources, miscreants had earlier torched another private car (Swift) belonging to Chandra Hazarika, Handique’s neighbour. Handique said, “I don’t have any personal or professional enmity with anyone and I fail to understand the motive behind the act. Fear and apprehension have gripped my entire family. If the intention of the miscreants had been theft or robbery, they could have done it earlier but they were determined to harm my property.”

Meanwhile, these repeated attempts of unidentified miscreants have created fear in the minds of the people of the locality. Based on FIR lodged at the nearby Tinsukia Sadar Police Station, a team of Tinsukia Police has started investigation and assured the family of booking the culprits soon. Tinsukia Superintendent of Police, Mugdhajyoti Mahanta said, “The culprits cannot escape for long. The intention behind the crime, targeting a specific area, is yet to be ascertained. Though surveillance camera was installed recently in the area soon after the first incident was reported, the residence does not fall within the purview (range) of the camera.”