Guwahati: It is not only drugs and cow smuggling; the Bangladesh-origin Muslims in Assam have been running rackets of fake gold and Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) for years. A Muslim-dominated area called Bongalmora in the North Assam district of Lakhimpur has been identified as the hub of all criminal activities, including drugs trade, fake gold and FICN trade. The place known as ‘Mini Bangladesh’ is the operational hub of many fake gold and FICN rackets run by Bangladesh-origin Muslims.
The whole episode opened up after the controversial death of the police sub-inspector Junmoni Rabha on May 16. Lady Singham fame Junmoni Rabha was killed in a mysterious road accident in the Jakhalabandha area of Nagaon district. Her family alleged that the fake gold racket killed the daredevil young police officer. Dozens of fake gold and FICN smugglers were arrested across Assam, but for unknown reasons, Lakhimpur district police never investigated the matter properly. It has been alleged by locals and various organisations that Lakhimpur district police have a nexus with the criminal rackets. The State home department has already transferred Lakhimpur Superintendent of Police Bedanta Madhab Rajkhowa and ASP Runa Neog.
In a press conference in Guwahati on May 19, DGP G P Singh assured that the fake gold and FICN rackets of the State will be eliminated within one month of time.
The State Government posted IPS Anand Mishra as the new SP of the Lakhimpur district. After assuming charge as the SP, Anand Mishra said that the Government had ordered him to adopt a zero-tolerance attitude towards the fake gold and FICN rackets, and he will do so accordingly. The new SP has issued a list of the most wanted fake gold, and FICN smugglers and operations have begun to nab those criminals.
As per the list Ajgar Ali, Yunus Ali, Saidul Islam, Aminur Islam, Mahidul Islam, Sultan Ali, Motiur Rahman, Ataur Rahman, Habibur Rahman, Babul Islam, Baharul Islam, Hanif Ali, Gulzar Islam and Asab Ali are running rackets of fake gold and FICN. It should be mentioned that the Guwahati city police, after the arrest of two wanted smugglers, informed the Lakhimpur police about the gang leaders of the rackets on April 19. But for a long one month, the Lakhimpur police didn’t act and let the racket do their crimes.
After the mysterious death of SI Junmoni Rabha on May 16, the Assam police have arrested 71 fake gold smugglers from several districts of the State. On May 20, the State Government handed the SI Junmoni Rabha death case investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
