A routine evening walk turned violent near the Jollang-Rakap road in Itanagar on Wednesday evening, where acclaimed director and academician Dominic Sangma was assaulted after stepping in to protect a group of youths from local harassers. Sangma serves as the head of the Screenwriting Department at the Jote campus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). The incident unfolded at approximately 6:30 pm, sparking immediate concern across the regional creative community.
Intervention Sparks Violent Attack
According to the formal police complaint submitted by the filmmaker's wife, Sangma noticed two visibly intoxicated men menacing several FTII students. The assailants, who were carrying bamboo sticks, were actively bullying the students along the roadside. When Sangma stepped forward to de-escalate the hostile encounter and safeguard the scholars, the two men redirected their hostility toward him. The confrontation quickly escalated into violence, with the attackers beating the filmmaker using their fists and bamboo sticks.
Security Guard and Students Targeted
The physical aggression was not limited to Sangma alone. The complaint records that an FTII security guard on the scene was also assaulted during the altercation. In addition, four students belonging to the institute suffered physical attacks and were subjected to unlawful restraint by the two men during the chaotic episode.
Legal Action and Identified Accused
In response to the incident, law enforcement officials registered a First Information Report at the Balijan police station. The case incorporates Sections 115(2), 117(2), 126, and 351 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police records have officially identified the two alleged attackers as Techi Nanu and Techi Sanjay, both identified as residents of Rakap village. Authorities have launched an investigation into the entire confrontation, and further details regarding police action and custody remain awaited.
Sangma, who hails from Meghalaya, holds an established reputation within the cinematic fraternity, particularly for his contributions to Garo-language films. His celebrated cinematic creation Rapture previously earned the Best Garo Film honour at the 66th National Film Awards.
