12 security personnel, locals injured in mob attack in Assam's Hailakandi district

At least 12 security personnel as well as several villagers were injured when they were attacked by an irate mob as they tried to save four people from lynching at Nitainagar village in Hailakandi district of South Assam on Friday night, police sources said.

Hailakandi Sadar police station Officer In-charge (OC) Hemanta Kumar Das and second officer Ashoke Chakraborty of the police station, OC Borat Chandra Kar of Algapur police stations and two jawans of the CRPF were seriously injured when they went to save four people who were being lynched by the mob armed with sticks in Nitainagar village, around 13 kms from Hailakandi town, they said.

District Additional Superintendent of Police Barun Purkayastha said a group of nine people, including police constable Jamil Hussain, went to Laskarbazar weekly cattle market of Nitainagar.

Local people suspecting them to be child-lifters gheraoed and attacked the nine people, the ASP said.

Stating that confusion prevails regarding their purpose of visit, Purkayastha said
Meanwhile, district Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli has appealed people to remain calm saying, "We assure you that the administration and police will remain alert."