Representational.
Guwahati: In an incident where a person died in police custody and violence broke out against the police station in Assam's Lakhimpur district, police arrested 15 people.
An irate mob had surrounded the Khelmati police outpost on Thursday after a person accused of mobile phone theft died in custody, PTI reported.
As the mob turned violent and hurled stones, police had to charge batons and fire in the air to bring the situation under control, officials said. "Reference stone pelting by a mob at Khelmati outpost in Lakhimpur district on May 23rd 2024 -- 15 persons have been arrested on the basis of the evidence collected, including CCTV footage," Singh posted on 'X'.
"Materials preparatory to arson have also been recovered and seized during the searches. Appropriate lawful action is being taken," he added.
Ashraf Ali was arrested along with four others on the charge of stealing mobile phones and other electronic gadgets on Wednesday night. He was sitting on a bench at the outpost when he "suddenly fell off", police claimed.
He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead, they said.
The in charge of the outpost, Dipankar Chiangmai, and the sentry on duty were suspended following the incident.