In a rare incident in this part of the country, a Catholic priest was attacked by unidentified assailants in Udalguri District in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD), police said on Tuesday.
The unprecedented incident took place at a church located near Bhairabkunda in Udalguri District of northern Assam on Sunday night. Police said that an unidentified assailant attacked Father Sushil John Soren who was returning to his hostel room after evening prayers in the church. Fr. Soren was shifted to a local hospital immediately but later shifted to a hospital in Guwahati for better treatment. His condition is stated to be alright now.
“The incident took place around 9 pm on Sunday when the victim was returning to his hostel room located not far away from the church. According to his statements, he was seemingly followed by the assailant. Although the assailant attacked him with a knife, Fr. Soren resisted leading to a scuffle,” said Udalguri Deputy Commissioner, Sadhana Hojai.
“Fr Soren, who used to be a footballer in the past also overpowered the assailant and shouted for help. The assailant, however, managed to escape after injuring the victim,” Hojai said adding that the district administration as well as the Assam State Commission for Minorities had already taken the matter seriously and police have been asked to book the culprits immediately.