Sipajhar killings: Gauhati High Court directs Assam Govt to file affidavit

Oct. 7: The Gauhati High Court on Thursday has directed the Assam government to file a detailed affidavit in regards to the killings during the eviction drive in Assam’s Sipajhar on 23 September, 2021. A two judge bench headed by Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Soumitra Saikia observed that the events were very unfortunate and called it a big tragedy.

It needs mention here tat on 23 September, 2021, two persons, including a minor, had died due to police firing following a clash between protesters and officials of Darrang district administration during an eviction drive in Sipajhar.

The bench was hearing a plea in this connection which was filed by Assam leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia against the “forced eviction”. Assam Congress has welcomed the response of the Gauhai High Court to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia on the eviction drive in Sipajhar on September 23. 

The bench while hearing the plea also asked the state government whether the National Rehabilitation Policy was not applicable in the state. The Gauhati High Court has granted the Assam government a 3-week time to file its reply and listed the matter for November 3.

Earlier, photographer Bijoy Baniya who was seen jumping and attacking an protester during the Sipajhar violence incident and who later died was arrested by Assam police. Cameraperson Bijoy Baniya was caught on camera fatally assaulting a bullet-hit person.