FIR filed against 4 BSF personnel in Assam's Cachar over alleged custodial death of Nirmal Namasudra, sparking protests and official investigation.
Locals protest in Assam’s Cachar district after alleged BSF assault leads to death of disabled farmer Nirmal Namasudra.
Assam: An FIR was registered against four personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) on August 4. The incident occurred in Assam’s Cachar district, where a 45-year-old partially disabled man to death. The matter has sparked outrage among locals, prompting protests and an official investigation.
The deceased, identified as Nirmal Namasudra, was allegedly assaulted by BSF personnel on Friday night (August 1). He succumbed to his injuries at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) the following morning.
Nirmal, who was reportedly suffering from a mental disorder, worked as a farmer to support his family. “That night, he told us he was feeling unwell due to the humidity and went outside for fresh air around 11:30 PM. Half an hour later, we heard his screams. Locals later told us the BSF had picked him up,” Srimat, his brother revealed, adding that he himself suffers from severe health issues.
In the FIR, Srimat alleged that BSF personnel forcibly dragged his brother into their vehicle while locals tried to intervene. “When people protested, the BSF personnel threatened them with guns and rifles and hurled abuses,” he wrote.
Nirmal’s sister-in-law, Sati Namasudra, said she was at her parents’ house that night but rushed to the Kalain Public Health Centre (PHC) upon hearing of the incident. “When I reached, I found him bleeding profusely with severe head injuries,” she said.
The alleged custodial death triggered protests in the Katigorah area on Sunday, with locals accusing BSF personnel of routinely harassing civilians at night under the guise of security operations. “They cannot stop the illegal trade and smuggling through the border, but they frequently torture innocent locals. We suspect some BSF personnel are involved with the smugglers, and to cover up, they threaten and assault common people,” a protester said.
Police sources have confirmed that an FIR has been registered and a probe is underway. “The family claims Nirmal was tortured to death. However, BSF maintains they found him in an inebriated state and rescued him. We are investigating all angles,” police sources revealed.
As per sources in the BSF, an internal inquiry has been initiated.
