Two Miya Muslims were attacked in the Baksa district in the Bodoland Territorial Region(BTR) when they were on their way to work.
Victims of the assault identified as Babidul Islam and Abdul Salam were attacked on the same day at different places by the same attackers, according to Maktoob Media.
Babidul Islam, an ice cream seller was assaulted when he was selling ice cream near Manash National Park. The five men enquired about his identity, on learning that he was a Muslim, the men assaulted him and tried to strangulate him.
“They scolded me with many slurs and tried to strangulate me,” Babidul told Maktoob.
A police complaint was filed around 5 PM at Bahbari police outpost which is under Gobhardhana police station. In his complaint, he also mentioned that his day’s earnings of around 5,000 were also snatched by the assaulters.
Around 8 PM, the same day, Abdul was beaten up and was told by assailants that ‘Miya Muslims’ should leave Upper Assam districts.
Saijuddin Ahmed, the central organizing secretary of All BTC Minority Student’s Union (ABMSU) who was involved in filing a police complaint for Abdul said, “Scared that he might be attacked, Abdul didn’t file a complaint.”
Baksa Police has arrested three accused in the case and are booked for hate-mongering.
Hate crimes in Assam are on the rise after a young girl was raped on 22 August. Assamese protested against Miya Muslims and started “Miya Kheda Abhiyan” which translated to Drive out “Miya Muslims from Upper Assam.” Assam has also given a 7-day ultimatum to Miya Muslims.
