Police in Assam's Lakhimpur district have made significant headway in a case involving a brazen attack on law enforcement, arresting ten individuals linked to a violent mob assault. The incident, which saw a police team attacked and a wanted man freed, occurred in the Bongalmora area last month.
The Planned Assault and Escape
On December 27, a team from the Bihpuria police station acted on specific intelligence and successfully located and apprehended Baharul Islam in the Sonapur area of Bongalmora. Islam was a wanted accused in a case related to posting content on social media that supported terrorism.
However, as the officers were preparing to transport him to the police station, their operation was violently disrupted. A mob of more than ten people launched a premeditated attack on the police party. The assailants not only assaulted the personnel but also managed to free Baharul Islam from custody, allowing him to flee the scene. He remains absconding.
Charges and Criminal Backgrounds
Lakhimpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gunendra Deka stated that the attack was orchestrated and led by Atabur Rahman, identified as the main conspirator. The assault left Sub-Inspector Gokul Joyshree and the police vehicle driver seriously injured. Several other officers sustained minor injuries in the melee.
Following the incident, a formal case was registered at Bihpuria police station under multiple stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 191, 296, 109, 121, 115, and 324.
The ten individuals arrested on Monday in connection with the attack have been identified as:
- Afazuddin
- Ikramul Hussain
- Fakhruddin Ahmed
- Noor Hussain
- Gulzar Hussain
- Nazrul Haque
- Kazimuddin
- Mohd Abdul Hamid
- Bilal Hussain
- Atabur Rahman
SSP Deka revealed that several of those arrested have prior criminal records, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.
The Original Case Against Baharul Islam
The police action that led to the mob violence was rooted in a serious investigation. Baharul Islam was wanted for allegedly using a fake social media account to post content in support of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a heinous act that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
"After the Pahalgam incident, several people posted on social media supporting the heinous act. One such person was Baharul Islam," SSP Deka explained. He added that police had gathered sufficient evidence before registering the case, but Islam had gone underground to evade arrest earlier in the year.
The SSP also noted that Islam has a history of run-ins with the law, having been previously arrested for dealing in fake gold.
Ongoing Investigation and Manhunt
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is far from over. SSP Gunendra Deka asserted that more individuals were involved in the attack and will be arrested soon. He also expressed confidence in recapturing the fugitive, Baharul Islam. "He will be in police custody soon," the SSP assured, indicating an active manhunt is underway.
The arrests mark a crucial step in restoring order and demonstrating that attacks on police personnel carrying out their lawful duties will be met with firm legal action.
