Two Muslim youths hailing from Southern Assam’s Patharkandi, Sribhumi District, were attacked by Bishnupriya Hindu Manipuris on June 1, earlier this month. The attack occurred on an allegation of cattle theft.
The youths, who were both cousins, are identified as Amir Uddin, aged 17, and Islam Uddin, aged 18. They were on a quest for their cattle in a Hindu-dominated neighborhood that lies across the Karimganj-Agartala highway when the attack occurred, FoEJ Media learned.
“Both people had gone to Nalugaon to look for their cattle. There, some Bishnupriya Manipuri people informed them about their cattle,” Islam and Amir’s uncle, Nazim, told FoEJ Media.
“But when they went to see their cattle, the people there attacked them,” he added.
“They were first beaten with sticks and batons, and after that, shots were fired at both of them,” Nazim told FoEJ Media.
“Amir Uddin sustained six gunshot wounds, while Islam Uddin sustained five gunshot wounds,” he said.
The medical reports of both cousins have been accessed by the FoEJ Media.
“The attackers were already acquainted with both boys. We frequently visit that area, as it is a neighboring village, and we regularly encounter each other in the market. The boy’s father also runs a vegetable business there,” Nazim told FoEJ Media.
The cousins were immediately rushed to the hospital in Patharkandi, then they were referred to Karamganj’s civil hospital, then Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Nazim told FoEJ Media.
“The doctors have recommended transferring him to Guwahati. The only thing left is for the referral paperwork to be completed,” he added.
The Video that Recorded the Incident
The 2 min 28 second video that records the brutality of the incident shows a mob beating the cousins with sticks in dark light while both the cousins were crying, “Aaa, Aaa, Allah, Allah, O Mai (O Mother)” in pain.
The video of the incident has been verified by the FoEJ Media.
In the meantime, the injured pictures of both Amir and Islam show injuries on their heads, backs, necks, and chests. FoEJ Media also accessed the pictures of the injury.
The Arrest
A couple of days after the incident, on June 3, the family filed a complaint at the Patharkandi police station, adding 21 names to the complaint. Four people have been arrested, including the person who fired at the cousins. Parts of the air gun have also been recovered by the police.
They are booked under sections 126(2) for wrongful restraint, 191(2) (rioting), 109 (attempt to murder), 117(2) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 303(2) (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
