Tension escalated in Duliajan as Assam Police detained several leaders and members of the Bir Lachit Sena, along with other protestors, amid rising unrest over the controversial remarks allegedly made by Tanu Shahi against the Assamese community.
On Friday, police detained Shrinkhal Chaliha, the Central Administrative Secretary of the Bir Lachit Sena, and Har Kumar Gogoi, the organisation’s Organising Secretary. The two, along with over 50 supporters, were stopped in Sepon while on their way to Duliajan in Dibrugarh district to join the protests. Chaliha was taken to the Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police’s office for questioning, and the others were held at Moran Police Station.
The protests were sparked by an incident involving Tanu Shahi, who has now been detained by the Duliajan Police. She was taken into custody from her residence on Thursday following intense public pressure and an FIR filed by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP). The group had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding her arrest, and the Bir Lachit Sena had also called for immediate action.
What is Tanu Shahi Controversy in Assam?
Tanu Shahi is accused of making derogatory remarks against the Assamese community during an altercation at the BN Singh Petrol Pump in Duliajan. This led to widespread anger and state-wide protests. Ironically, it was based on Shahi’s earlier complaint that former AASU General Secretary Sankarjyoti Baruah was arrested, an act that had already stirred public outrage.
Currently, Shahi is being interrogated at the Duliajan Police Station in a marathon session led by the Additional Superintendent of Police, Dibrugarh. Authorities are trying to gather complete details of the incident that has triggered unrest across the state.
Meanwhile, the police crackdown in Duliajan intensified as at least 15 more protesters were taken into custody. Those detained include Minakshi Gogoi, President of Asomiya Mahila Mancha, and Ranu Tamuli, the group’s Secretary. Jyotishman Hazarika, President of the Bordubi unit of the All Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (ATTSA), was also among those apprehended. Several members of the Gorkha Mahila Mancha were also detained as police attempted to control the swelling protest movement.
Security remains tight in Duliajan and nearby areas, as authorities monitor the situation closely to prevent further violence and unrest.
