07-09-17 Abhayapuri- AKRASU protest burn tyre
File photo

One person sustained severe burn injuries as violence mars the 24 hours bandh called by non- Bodo organizations in Kokrajhar like All Koch-Rajbonshi Students Union (AKRSU), All Bodo Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU) in Kokrajhar on Tuesday.

One Safiur Rahman of Khaitpara under Abhiyapuri in Bongaigaon district sustained burn injuries as bandh supporters poured petrol on him and set him on fire.

An auto rickshaw by profession hailing from Choraiklola area in Kokrajhar district, Rahman was on way to Kokrajhar from Bholpurr along with a friend.

Irate bandh supporters stopped them at the scene of crime. The protestors also tried to set the auto-rickshaw on fire.

However, the vehicle was badly damaged by the protestors.

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Rahman sustained 40 per cent burn injuries and is presently undergoing treatment at Rupnath Brahma Civil Hospital in Kokrajhar.

Meanwhile bandh supporters blocked the roads by burning tyres at several places.

Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported from several places.

The bandh has been called in protest against Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) executive council’s decision to bar people living in the council area from selling their land to any non-tribal in the BTC area.

Earlier on Monday, minority student groups in Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) have decided to launch a joint movement against the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) alleging that the BTC has made a covert design to curtail the land rights of non-tribals, who are living in the Council area.

The All Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) and the All BTC Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU) on Monday had a joint meeting in Bongaigaon town to set their agitational programme demanding land rights for the non-tribals in the BTAD.