Teen shot, allegedly by enraged tea-estate owner

Guwahati: A 15-year-old boy was killed and four others were injured when the owner of a tea-estate allegedly fired at angry protesters who later set ablaze two garden factories and his residence on Monday. (Image courtesy: News Live)

Mridul Kumar Bhattacharjee, the owner of Rani Tea Estate, was arrested after he fired at locals and labourers who were protesting against him for allegedly beating a woman and tearing her clothes following an altercation over trespassing, police said.

Prudi Murari, a class eight school student, died on the spot in the shooting.

Police used batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse the irate mob which torched Bhattacharjee's house, two of his factories, several vehicles and other properties after the killing of the boy, officials said.

The protesters prevented fire tenders from entering the estate.

Locals alleged that Bhattacharjee had created terror among locals for the last 15 years by physically abusing them, brandishing pistols, grabbing land and even polluting drinking water sources.

The injured were admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Two of them were identified Suren Ram Bodo and Khasi Ram Bodo.