BARPETA, March 29 - One person was arrested for assaulting an executive magistrate keeping vigil on the lockdown in Barpeta on Saturday evening.
Executive magistrate Nabajit Pathak, the circle officer of Barpeta Revenue Circle, noticed a youth loitering on the road at Brindabanhati here in the evening. When Pathak asked him the reason why he came out of his home, the youth became furious and abused him. The youth was identified as Bhaskar Das, son of Basudeb Das, a resident of Brindabanhati. He was picked up by police and taken to the police station. A case has been registered against him.
At a time when the country is under lockdown following the threat of COVID-19 infection, some unscrupulous elements are trying to destabilise the society. Sale of country as well as IMFL liquor is going on unabated in many parts of the district, and huge gatherings of buyers have been reported.
Police seized a huge consignment of IMFL liquor at Sarthebari on Saturday afternoon. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Samiran Baishya intercepted a goods carrier and seized 93 cartons of liquor. The value of the items was estimated at around Rs 12 lakh. The consignment belonged to one Manoj Deka who allegedly tried to store the cartons at the residence of his driver. However, both the owner and the driver managed to flee.
Sarthebari locals alleged that Deka has been engaged in the illegal liquor trade for several years. Police had also seized a huge quantity of country liquor at Subha under Tarabari Police Station on March 25.
Police have also increased surveillance on persons violating the lockdown. Two persons were arrested on Saturday at Balapara under Sarthebari PS by a patrol team led by DSP Samiran Baishya. The two have been identified as Asal Ali and Jaynal Ali. One Sikim Ali was also arrested on March 26, while six persons were arrested at Barpeta Road and a police case was registered against them.
Two four-wheelers were seized for violating the lockdown. Police registered another case against one Abdur Sabur, the owner of a hardware shop who opened his business establishment at Deurikuchi. The administration led by the circle officer also conducted an eviction drive at the Barpeta Colony Bazar.
