Nine Injured in Midnight Firing Over Land Dispute in Assam’s Kaliabor

In a shocking incident, at least nine people were injured in an alleged indiscriminate firing at No. 2 Barghuli in Kaliabor late last night. The incident, reportedly triggered by a long-standing land dispute, took place at around 12:30 am when a group of unidentified armed men allegedly attacked two families with stones and gunfire.

According to reports, a group of around 20 armed men launched the attack on the families of Rafiqul Islam and Rustam Ali at Barghuli, under the jurisdiction of Chulung Police Outpost in the Ulubari Police Station area of Kaliabor. The attackers allegedly pelted stones and fired several rounds. According to the victims, around four to five members of the group were carrying firearms.

The attack left nine people injured. The injured have been identified as Abdul Hakim, Rafiqul Islam, Rustam Ali, Yusuf Ali, Atar Ali, Ofaidul Islam, Asadul Islam and Mafizul Islam, among others. Rustam Ali sustained a gunshot injury to his leg, while the others reportedly suffered injuries from stone pelting.

All the injured were rushed to Tezpur Civil Hospital for treatment during the night.

Police have recovered two empty bullet cartridges from the spot and launched an investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, the injured families have alleged that a person named Safikul Islam hired a group of miscreants to carry out the attack over the land dispute. According to the victims, a long-standing dispute had been going on between Safikul Islam and the families of Rafiqul Islam and Rustam Ali over a plot of land at Sapmari in Barghuli. The matter is also reportedly pending before a court.

The victims further alleged that the attack was the culmination of an ongoing conflict over possession of the disputed land, with one side allegedly attempting to occupy the property while the other resisted.

However, police have not yet confirmed the identity of those involved in the firing or established the circumstances surrounding the attack. Further investigation is underway.