Guwahati: The death of a 42-year-old man, Arsabh Ali, in police custody in Assam’s Lakhimpur district has sparked outrage among villagers and relatives, leading to clashes with police. Ali was detained at the Khelmati police outpost in connection with a mobile phone theft case. The incident also led to the suspension of two police personnel.
Ali, a resident of South Chandmari village, was brought in Wednesday night after a stolen mobile phone was allegedly found in his possession, said Lakhimpur Superintendent of Police Aparna Natarajan. The police had been investigating a two-month-old case and traced the phone to Ali.
“He was apprehended in connection with the theft of a mobile. A case was already registered under North Lakhimpur Police — NLP Case no. 41/24 under section 457/380 IPC for the theft of two mobiles and a laptop. A stolen mobile phone was recovered from his possession,” Natarajan told ThePrint.
Local residents said Ali was taken to the police outpost late at night, and his family was informed of his death hours later. Ali’s family has refused to claim his body.
Thursday morning, a crowd gathered outside the Khelmati police outpost, protesting the incident and demanding justice. Some protesters threw stones, damaging police vehicles. The police resorted to firing shots in the air to disperse the crowd.
“The situation is under control, as of now. Since this happened inside the premises of the police station, we have a set of guidelines that need to be followed as per the National Human Rights Commission,” said SP Natarajan, who assumed charge in January this year.
She added that an inquest has been completed by the magistrate under videography, and a team of four doctors has been formed to conduct the post-mortem. “Once it is completed, we will get to know what led to his death,” she said.
Assam’s Director General of Police, Gyanendra Pratap Singh took to X, and announced immediate actions, including the suspension of the in-charge at Khelmati police outpost along with the on-duty sentry at time of the incident. He also ordered an independent inquiry under the Additional SP of Biswanath district.
“All mandatory provisions of law & directions of NHRC/AHRC are being followed. DIG Northern Range has been directed to proceed to Khelmati immediately,” he further announced.
Meanwhile, speaking to local media in Lakhimpur, Ali’s mother said he was innocent.
“Until 11:30 pm Wednesday, they rounded up suspects, including my son. He had returned three days ago from Arunachal where he was working, and had fallen asleep. His friend had handed over something to him, which I don’t know of. My son did not steal. He was fit and had no illness,” she told reporters. “A police station is for the good of the public, not for killing people.”
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