Sonai, Cachar: A violent land dispute in the Hathikhal area under Cachar district’s Kachudaram Police Station has claimed the life of a young school student, leaving the local community in shock and mourning. Sadiya Akter, a Class 10 student, succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday night at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), while her brother and uncle remain in critical condition.
The Incident: A Midnight Ambush
The tragedy unfolded on Monday night around 10:30 PM at Hathikhal Market. According to local sources and the police complaint, a long-standing land dispute between the families of Atabur Rahman Ahmed and Abdul Hekim escalated into a full-scale violent clash.
It is alleged that a group of 25–30 people from Atabur Rahman’s side, armed with sharp weapons and stones, attempted to forcibly encroach upon Abdul Hekim’s land. When Hekim’s family resisted, the attackers launched a brutal assault.
Innocent Student Targeted
The most heartbreaking aspect of the incident involves Sadiya Akter, a student of A.K. Azad & F.A. Memorial Senior Secondary School. Sadiya was returning home from tuition with her classmates when she encountered the chaos.
Upon seeing her parents, Abdul Hekim and his wife, being mercilessly beaten by the mob, Sadiya rushed to intervene and protect them. However, the attackers did not spare the young girl and beat her severely, causing internal injuries that ultimately proved fatal.
Casualties and Critical Condition
- Deceased: Sadiya Akter (Class 10 student).
- In ICU: Sadiya’s brother, Shoaib Ahmed, is currently battling for his life in the ICU at SMCH.
- Critical: Her uncle, Abdul Gafur, also remains in a precarious state.
- Injuries: At least 10 people from Abdul Hekim’s side were seriously injured, while two from the opposing side sustained minor injuries.
Tension Grips Hathikhal; No Arrests Yet
The news of Sadiya’s death on Wednesday night triggered massive outrage in the Hathikhal and Kachudaram areas. Heavy police and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel have been deployed in the market area to prevent further communal or group escalation.
Despite a formal FIR being lodged at the Kachudaram Police Station naming several accused, no arrests have been made even three days after the incident. The grieving family and local residents have expressed deep frustration over the police’s “inaction” and are demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
“We want justice for Sadiya. She was an innocent student with a bright future. Those who killed her and put her brother in the ICU must not roam free,” said a local resident.
Administrative Response
The district administration has urged the public to maintain peace while the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have assured that the law will take its course, though the current atmosphere remains tense and somber.
