Dacoit terror grips parts of rural Asom

Guwahati, Oct 08 (UNI) Asom now has more links with 'dacoit terror' than an actress from the state portraying Bandit Queen Phoolan Devi in a Bollywood flick.

The people of Rangiya sub-division in Kamrup district had been spending sleepless nights for the past three months, with regular incidence of dacoity reported from across the area.

The police had been allegedly playing a mere spectator's role, with many failing to reach the spot even after being informed well in advance.

In an outburst of public anger after police used force to disburse another such rally a month ago, a mass rally was taken out in Rangiya town on October 4.

However, things turned ugly when an agitator, a horse-cart puller, was killed in police firing.

The concerned police man was jailed later and his associates suspended. They also faced enquiry.

Since then, mass gatherings had been arranged in the area under the aegis of various organisations.

Though sympathies continue to flow for the people of the area, no solution seems to be in sight for the growing dacoity incidences.

Many alleged that there was a nexus between the dacoits and the police personnel.

Tapan Kumar Mahanta of Jayantipur village said, ''We constantly live in fear of the dacoits. We have arranged for security by our own men.'' Villagers now regularly stand guard on shifts along the roads after dusk. Those at home also keep sticks, rods and other sharp weapons handy.

It has also been alleged that the dacoit molested women on a few occasions though none had been officially reported.

Barely half a dozen cases of dacoity had been registered in the past months in the area though local people claim that majority cases went unreported.

However, police's alleged inaction was being viewed with suspicion.

On one occasion, it had been alleged that police arrived at the dacoity spot on the morning after even though they were informed at night that one of the dacoits had been held captive.

In another, local people had to provide security to police personnel from the dacoits.

With official security proving highly inadequate, the villagers have to play guard themselves.

UNI SG JYN AB 1627