A wave of unrest has gripped Assam’s Kokrajhar district following a tragic incident late Monday night that left one person dead and four others critically injured. What began as a case of mistaken identity and suspicion has spiraled into communal clashes, prompting authorities to deploy the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and enforce a complete shutdown of mobile internet and data services across the district as of today.
The Incident: A Site Inspection Turned Fatal
The violence was triggered on the night of January 19 in the Karigaon area. A group of five men, all associated with a local road construction project, were returning from a site inspection in the Aoudang area. As their vehicle traveled along the Gouri Nagar–Mashing road, it was intercepted by a group of villagers who allegedly suspected the occupants of being cattle thieves.
In the ensuing confrontation, the vehicle skidded off the road and crashed. The mob then attacked the trapped occupants and set the vehicle ablaze. One of the victims, identified as Sikhna Jwhwlao Bismit (alias Raja), the son-in-law of a prominent local contractor, succumbed to severe burn injuries. The other four Prabhat Brahma, Jubiraj Brahma, Sunil Murmu, and Mahesh Murmu remain in critical condition at the Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital.
Escalation: Protests and Communal Friction
By Tuesday morning, the news of the lynching sparked widespread anger. Members of the Bodo community (to which the deceased belonged) and the Adivasi community (from which the suspected attackers originated) engaged in retaliatory protests.
- Highway Blockades: Hundreds of protesters blocked National Highway 27, burning tires and demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits.
- Arson and Attacks: The situation turned volatile as a government office was set on fire, and a few houses in the vicinity were torched. Protesters also reportedly gheraoed the Karigaon police outpost, leading to a direct standoff with law enforcement.
Administrative Response: High Alert and Digital Blackout
To prevent the spread of inflammatory rumors and "hate speech" on social media, the Assam Home Department has suspended mobile internet services throughout Kokrajhar until further notice. While broadband and voice calls remain functional, the digital blackout is seen as a necessary measure to contain the unrest.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed to assist the local police in patrolling sensitive zones. Kokrajhar Police have already detained over 20 individuals in connection with the mob violence and subsequent rioting. Senior officials are currently on the ground, urging community leaders to maintain peace and let the law take its course.
A Call for Justice
Local leaders, including Kokrajhar East MLA Lawrence Islary, have condemned the "unacceptable" act of vigilantism. They emphasized that the victims were legitimate workers and that the tragedy highlights the dangerous consequences of mob justice. For now, Kokrajhar remains under a heavy security blanket, with the administration working tirelessly to bridge the communal divide before the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
