GUWAHATI, June 15 - A delegation of the All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and 28 organisations representing various ethnic communities today called on Assam DGP Kuladhar Saikia and demanded exemplary punishment to the culprits involved in the murder of two city youths Nilotpal Das and Abhijeet Nath at a remote village in Karbi Anglong.
The AASU said in a statement that the organisations urged the police chief to prepare a strong case against the culprits so that they cannot escape through legal loopholes. It also asked the police to arrest the remaining culprits as soon as possible and fast-track the trial.
The two youths were lynched by a mob after the main accused (who has now been arrested) spread a false rumour about the duo being �child lifters� and incited the mob to kill them.
�It was a most inhuman killing of two innocents and all those involved in it must be booked and punished. Criminals are criminals and they do not have any race or community. We must not allow the situation to trigger communal disharmony and ensure a peaceful atmosphere,� it said.
The delegation asked the police to ensure a safe ambience for the Karbi people, especially students studying in various places of Assam.
It further urged the police to take steps for generating awareness against superstition and irrational beliefs. �We have also seen in the past how superstition has led to the scourge of witch-hunting. There is an urgent need to reach out to the backward communities reeling under superstition and educate them,� it said.
The police chief gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them that no leniency would be shown to the perpetrators of the crime.
�We are committed to apprehending all those involved in the crime. We will present a very strong case against the guilty so that they cannot escape the law. At the same time, the police is also taking up measures against superstition through dissemination of information and awareness generation,� Saikia said.
He also urged all concerned to maintain peace and communal harmony in the State.
