A Brawl between police and merchant over curfew restrictions at Bhanga Bazar; "Constables didn't fire, got attacked by dao" says Karimganj SP.

Yesterday, a scuffle took place in Karimganj's Bhanga Bazar area between the police officials and the local merchants. The true story of the incident varies from person to person, with no clear outcome as of now.

The Locals stated that the police showed inhumane force and threatened the people with open fire whereas the police officials state that they were intervened by the locals while performing their mere duties. According to the officials, while patrolling yesterday, constables namely Amin Uddin Laskar and Badrul Hussain Laskar spotted a shop operating during curfew hours. Malua Police Station OC Nabajyoti Borah informed that the owner kept his shop open and refused to shut it and instead started abusing the officials.

It was only after the shop owner Abdul Mannan attacked the police officials with some sharp tools the police had to chargeback. The OC further added that the incident has been reported to the higher authorities.

After the incident took place, rumours started spreading like a forest fire in no time. A picture with a man with a bleeding hand started circulating with a caption underneath stating that he was injured in police firing. SP of Karimganj Padmanava Baruah cleared the air, defending the police stated that police didn't fire at anyone. He further said that the police are doing everything possible to ensure that the norms are followed regarding the curfew and an attack like this in return is merely shameful and won't be tolerated at any cost.

He further added that the police were attacked with a dao by Abdul Mannan and a case of attempt to murder will be filed against him, and further actions according to the laws will be taken.

However, the Merchants association of Bhanga Choumatha has another story. They stated that Abdul Mannan was not operating the store but was there for some urgent work and he said the same to the police and said he'll shut it soon but the constables started abusing and manhandling him and according to the merchants there was no need of such display of force by the police.