Assam: Sribhumi police file case against BDF leader Pradip Dutta Roy

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Sribhumi police had filed a case against the Barak Democratic Front leader Pradip Dutta Roy, accusing him of inciting fear during a Barak bandh in 2023 convened by his party in protest against the delimitation. Dutta Roy had been summoned to appear before the court in Sribhumi on May 6. A BDF press release said the case had been filed by DSP Gitartha Deb Sarma, SI Leela Prasad Sharma and SI Suraj Dutta of Ratabari police on behalf of Sribhumi police. Witnesses in the case include Ramanuj Chakraborty, Principal of Karimganj College, and Sujit Choudhury, a bank manager currently posted in Hojai district.

On June 27, 2023, the BDF had called for a 12-hour total shutdown in Barak Bandh to protest against the removal of two assembly seats from Barak Valley through delimitation. The shutdown was supported by the Congress, CPI(M), AIUDF, and the Aam Aadmi Party.

The police alleged that to ensure the success of the bandh, Dutta Roy incited fear among the people of Karimganj, prevented them from leaving their homes, and forcibly shut down shops. They also claim that protesters obstructed roads, disrupted emergency services, and even planned a rail blockade. As a result, charges under sections 341, 506, and 186 of the Indian Penal Code had been filed.

BDF Media Cell Convenor Jaydeep Bhattacharya, while condemning the ‘high-handedness of the Sribhumi police, asked why the FIR mentioned multiple political parties but only named Pradip Dutta Roy, leaving out officials from other parties. Further, the case had been filed only in Karimganj district, excluding Cachar and Hailakandi, which raises suspicions, Bhattacharjee pointed out.

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