Darrang Violence: Assam CM Hints At PFI’s Role, Says ‘Won’t Comment Till Judicial Probe Is Completed’

Sarma, who earlier ordered a judicial probe into the violence during the eviction drive, said the situation is normal now.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma | File Image

Guwahati: Hinting at the Popular Front of India’s (PFI) role in the violence that broke out during an eviction drive in the Sipajhar area in Darrang district, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said he will comment on the matter only after the judicial probe is completed.

Sarma, who earlier ordered a judicial probe into the violence during the eviction drive, said the situation is normal now.

READ: Punjab Cabinet: 7 New MLAs To Be Inducted; Balbir Sidhu And Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi Dodged

“As many as 60 families have to be evicted but there were 10,000 people, who brought them...Popular Front of India’s name is emerging in this but I will not give any comment till the judicial probe is completed,” he added, ANI reported.

Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders in Darrang under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to prevent any probable breach of public peace.

The Assam Chief Minister had earlier on Friday said the eviction drive was urgent and added it was not done overnight.

“This was urgent. It was not done overnight, discussions were on for four months. The Congress delegation had met me and agreed on land allotment to landless...27,000 acres of land has to be productively used...There was a temple, which was also encroached upon,” he said.

Sarma said that the state government expected no resistance from the people.

“The eviction drive was initiated with an agreed principle...that landless will be provided 2 acres each as per land policy, the representatives agreed. We expected no resistance but about 10,000 people gheraoed the Assam Police and used violence then the police retaliated,” he said.

At least two people lost their lives and 20 others, including policemen, sustained injuries after clashes broke out in Sipajhar on Thursday as thousands protested against the government’s ongoing eviction drive against “illegal encroachers”.