DGP records statement with regards to 2012 BTAD riots

GUWAHATI: The Assam DGP, Khagen Sarma, on Thursday recorded his statement before a one-man inquiry commission probing the 2012 BTAD riots here. Assam Police’s role came under severe criticism as their intelligence allegedly failed to intercept the rebels and stop the violence.
The CBI, which has taken over the investigation, accused Assam Police constable Mohibur Islam, alias Ratul, of triggering the riots.He is currently undergoing trial and is lodged in Goalpara jail.
A few months after the violence, the state government constituted the commission to zero in on individuals or organizations responsible for the violence. It is headed by justice (retd) Mutum B K Singh, retired judge of the Gauhati high court. The commission will also pinpoint lapses on the part of the civil and police administration, in tackling the situation.
The DGP was quizzed for more than two hours. He, however, declined to reveal anything about his statements to the media.
Advocate NH Mazarbhuyan, who was present and represented a minority students’ group before the commission, alleged that the police chief failed to clarify the state police’s role during the violence.
“There were allegations that security forces were not deployed on time. The DGP said the forces acted promptly, Earlier, all administrative and police officials admitted that forces were deployed at least three days after the violence, leading to escalation,” the advocate added.
Sources said the DGP even failed to tell exactly when state police would seize the illegal arms available in BTAD.
The commission has so far recorded the statements of at least 165 witnesses. Top officials of the home department are likely to depose before it on Friday.