Sam loved music and playing the tabla. But his musical instruments fell silent on December 12 when he succumbed to his injuries received in alleged police firing at Hatigaon while returning from a protest at Latasil field here against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
On Sunday, people from various walks of life paid tribute to 17-year-old Sam Stefford, a student of Phalguni Rabha High School, at a programme at Hatigaon, where his musical instruments were on display.
“Stefford, his cousins and friends had set out for Latasil field where a protest was organised by the All Assam Students’ Union against the citizenship law amid curfew. He went to see Zubeen Garg — his favourite musician and idol. The were only shouting slogans. Suddenly the streetlights went off and police started firing,” alleged Pankaj Hazarika, a relative.
“The security forces did not use tear gas or rubber bullets. They did not give any verbal warning either,” Hazarika claimed, and added the firing occurred in front of his residence.
“Sam was always smiling and helpful. He was fond of music and played the tabla,” said Pramatash Bhattacharyya, headmaster of Phalguni Rabha High School.
Women perform naam prasanga during a programme in memory of Dipanjal Das at Lachit Nagar.
Sam’s father Biju, who drives a shuttle bus, and mother Mamoni, were beyond consolation.
Another relative said: “The government has not yet condoled his death. We are still waiting.”
Actor Nishita Goswami said the government had “killed” an artiste. “This government has brought back the black days. People have understood its divide-and-rule politics and rejected it. Assam will protest till the Act is scrapped.”
An elderly Hatigaon resident, Pabitra Kalita, said “it is unfortunate the government is trying to divide them for its political agenda”.
The tribute programme was organised by All Guwahati Students’ Union, artistes’ fraternity and residents of Hatigaon.
People also paid homage to Dipanjal Das of Chaygaon, who also died in alleged police firing, at Lachit Nagar here.
An all-faith prayer meeting was also organised, where over 500 people, including All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) leaders, actors Ravi Sharma, Nishita and Prastuti Parashar, among others, attended.
AASU chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya said the government was making “fake promises to check the anti-CAA movement”.
He said it was unfortunate the government had not approached the families of those killed in police firing.
Apart from Stefford and Das, Ishwar Nayak of Udalguri and Abdul Alim of Pathsala also died in suspected police firing. Dwijendra Panging reportedly succumbed to his injuries sustained during baton charge by police on December 14.
Members of All Tai Ahom Students’ Union, Sadou Asom Muttock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan, Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association, Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, Koch Rajbongshi Yuba Chatra Sanmilan and Brihottar Asomiya Mahila Manch lit candles at Peopoltol Tiniali at Duliajan in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Sunday in memory of Stefford, Das, Nayak, Alim and Panging.
Additional reporting by Pradip Kumar Neog in Duliajan
