Makum restaurant bulldozed after death of tea worker

Dibrugarh, June 16: A restaurant in Assam’s Tinsukia district was demolished by the administration on Tuesday following widespread protests over the death of a tea community man who allegedly succumbed to injuries sustained in an assault earlier this month.

The demolished establishment, Urban Taste Restaurant in Makum, became the focal point of public anger after 52-year-old Mukut Urang, a resident of Gangabari Gate Line, died while undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.

Urang passed away at around 4 am on Tuesday, four days after he was allegedly assaulted.

According to family members, the incident dates back to June 12 when Urang and two restaurant workers, known to him and his family, allegedly consumed alcohol together before heading to the restaurant. It is alleged that restaurant proprietor Imran Siddiqui, a resident of Purana Bazar in Borhapjan, became enraged after learning that the trio had been drinking and brutally assaulted them.

Urang reportedly sustained severe injuries in the assault and was admitted to hospital, where he later succumbed.

News of his death triggered massive protests across Makum, with thousands of people, including members of the All Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) and the wider tea community, taking to the streets demanding justice.

Demonstrators blocked National Highway 37 for several hours, disrupting traffic and raising slogans demanding strict punishment for the accused, compensation for the victim’s family and action against the restaurant.

Amid mounting public pressure, Makum Police arrested Siddiqui and sealed the restaurant. However, protests continued, prompting the district administration to order the demolition of the establishment on Tuesday afternoon.

The demolition was carried out amid heavy security deployment as authorities sought to prevent any escalation of tensions.

Police have registered a case against Siddiqui under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. Officials said a pistol was also allegedly recovered from the accused, adding another dimension to the investigation.

While welcoming the arrest and demolition of the restaurant, ATTSA leaders said the agitation would continue until justice is delivered.

“A member of our community has lost his life. We want justice for the victim, adequate compensation for the family and assurance that such incidents are not repeated,” an ATTSA representative said.

Security personnel remained deployed across Makum and surrounding areas as authorities monitored the situation closely.

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