Altogether 46 cases have been registered and 27 miscreants involved in anti-social activities have been arrested in connection with the recent vandalism in Dibrugarh, police said on Tuesday.
In a joint news conference addressed by deputy commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha and newly-joined Dibrugarh superintendent of police Sreejith Tiraviam said all the arrests have been made with enough evidence against them.
“Police are also verifying the CCTV and video footage received from various sources. Police have also identified the trouble-mongers. Action will soon be taken against them. No one will be spared,” Tiraviam said.
However, law and order has been normal in Dibrugarh. No incident of violence has been reported in the last 96 hours from the district. Curfew was relaxed from 6am to 8pm on Tuesday.
“More cases will be registered. Collection of evidence is going on and local people are helping us by coming forward for statements. Action will be taken against those spreading fake news and instigators involved in violence. All cases will be properly supervised. A special supervision taskforce was formed for Northeast range and additional superintendent of police (HQ) Padnabh Baruah is also a member of the team,” Tiraviam said.
Jha said, “A total of 43 government properties have been damaged fully or partially in the recent vandalism in the district. Damage assessment is going on. Many government installations and private property were damaged.”
Jha said those who can provide CCTV footage of incriminating evidence will be awarded.
The fully damaged government properties are ASTC bus terminus in Dibrugarh, Chabua post office, United Bank of India branch in Chabua, Chabua zila parishad chairman office, Chabua town committee office, eight gaon panchyat offices in Chabua and the Chabua railway station.
The partially damaged ones are street lights, traffic control, ATMs, clock towers, public toilets, footpaths, Dibrugarh Jokai NRC seva kendra office, North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited pump house at Naharkatia, Chabua revenue circle office, Lengri panchayat and BSNL office at Chabua.
The Dibrugarh district administration has thanked the conscious citizens and media of Dibrugarh for their support to bring the situation under control.
“We have adopted a strategy to restore peace. Air and railway service are fully functional. Oil wells were functioning. NEEPCO and BCPL are dependent on gas. Fuel and gas shortages will be restored in two to three days,” Jha said.
The district administration has also appealed to all to refrain from spreading rumours.
“We are also monitoring the price hike of essential commodities after the recent incidents and taking necessary action. Decision on restoration of mobile Internet services will be taken by the higher authorities after assessment of the situation,” Jha said. He said night curfew will remain in Dibrugarh for some more time.
Jorhat sector Central Reserve Police Force (operations) inspector-general Sudhakar Upadhaya had on Monday visited Dibrugarh amidst the ongoing critical situation in the wake of protests against the citizenship law.
