In a joint operation by Dibrugarh and Dhemaji Police, six people, including three office-bearers of TMPK, were arrested on Wednesday for attacking milkmen in Dibrugarh.
A large group of people, allegedly Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) members, attacked dairy farmers at Charkholia Chapori, a sandbar located in the Brahmaputra on October 19.
In the attack, 55-year-old Murali Yadav, a milkman, was killed while several others were injured.
The group of around 100 people attacked the Hindi-speaking residents allegedly with spears, sticks and machetes.
They also torched their houses before leaving the area.
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The residents have claimed that they have been living in the sandbar for decades by selling milk and vegetables.
TMPK’s Laimekuri unit in Dhemaji district reportedly sought hefty donations from the milkmen through their letterheads ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for the organisation’s 48th foundation day.
Also read: No arrests in Dibrugarh milkmen attack case
“When the inhabitants expressed their inability to pay such hefty sums, they left with threats and intimidation,” said sources.
After receiving the threats, the milkmen claimed, they had approached the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police for protection, four days before the incident.
Also read: Assam: One killed, several injured in Dibrugarh TMPK attack
“However, no preventive measures were taken,” they said.
Following huge outcry over the attack, the Dibrugarh and Dhemaji Police launched a joint operation in search of the culprits, who were reportedly absconding.
On Wednesday, a police team led by Dibrugarh SP Gautam Borah and additional SP Dhruba Bora in association with their Dhemaji counterparts nabbed six accused from Gogamukh in Dhemaji district.
They have been identified as Jatindra Padun, president; Jayanta Taye, secretary of TMPK’s Laimekuri unit; Dhonesh Kutum, TMPK executive member, Ranjan Kuli, Dhulanath Mili and Brikudhar Doley.
Talking to media persons at Dibrugarh police station, additional SP Dhruba Bora said, “Six accused including TMPK members have been arrested.”
They have been booked under sect 120-B (criminal conspiracy), sect 143 (unlawful assembly), sect 436 (mischief by fire), sect 326 (voluntarily causing grievous injuries by dangerous weapons), sect 307 (attempt to murder), sect 302 (murder) and sect 153-A (provoking disharmony and enmity) of the IPC.
“We are searching for the other accused and they will be nabbed soon,” Bora added.
After the incident, a police picket was deployed in the chapori.
When asked about a permanent police outpost in the area, the police official said right now he cannot say anything in this regard.
In 2007, six farmers were killed in the chapori by miscreants.
The chapori has a sizeable population of Hindi-speaking people.
Since the incident, ASP Bora has been camping at Jonai in Dhemaji district to monitor the operation.
Sources claimed, in the chaporis of Dhemaji and Dibrugarh, the people have to pay regular donation to the organisation.
The locals have been demanding a permanent police outpost in the area.
Meanwhile Dibrugarh deputy commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha has prohibited financial collection (chanda), forceful subscriptions, donations, roadside collections and extortion in the district.
On Tuesday, Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan and additional DC Dipu Deka handed over a recommendation letter for Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia payment to the son of the deceased, Murali Yadav.