Guwahati

The Assam police has arrested the official photographer, who was seen to be jumping on one of the two persons who were killed in firing by the police on a mob during an eviction drive at Dholpur in Assam's Darrang district on Thursday.

At least 15 persons were injured in the clash.

The video clip of a man with camera slung over his shoulder had done viral on social media causing widespread anger and condemnation.

Police arrested the photographer who was employed with government and identified as Bijoy Bonia.

The government has also ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

This information was shared by Assam Police chief Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant on Twitter:

Currently in Sipajhar, taking stock of the ground situation.
The cameraman who was seen attacking an injured man in a viral video has been arrested.

As per wish of Hon. CM @himantabiswa I have asked CID to investigate the matter.
Cameraman Bijoy Bonia is in @AssamCid 's custody.

— DGP Assam (@DGPAssamPolice) September 23, 2021

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the police action a 'state sponsored fire'.

At least 11 policemen were also injured in the clashes, one of them had been admitted to Gawuhati Medical College in a serious condition.

Those killed have been identified as Saddam Hussein and Sheikh Farid.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the police was forced to act as a mob of hundreds protesting the eviction drive attacked the security personnel with sticks, knives and spears.

Sarma also holds the Home Department. He said the eviction drive, which began on Monday, will continue on Friday as well. The Assam government later on Thursday night ordered a judicial inquiry by a retired judge of the Gawuhati High Court.

Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahant is now camping in Sipajhar to take stock of the ground situation.

"On the instructions of the Chief Minister, I have asked the CID to investigate the matter," he said. He said that the cameraman is now in the custody of the CID. Officials said around 800 families of Bengali-speaking Muslims had been illegally occupying about 4,500 bighas (602.40 hectares) of government land for several years and the government had recently decided to use the land for agricultural purposes by expelling settlers. decision made.

When the eviction drive was launched on Monday, some families voluntarily moved their belongings and shifted out.

According to officials, the police resumed the eviction drive on Thursday after a break of two days, when an agitated mob tried to vehemently protest the violence.

The Supreme Court had also given a direction against eviction during the pandemic, yet the Assam government has been behaving in an autocratic manner to evict residents living in the area since the 1970s."