Assam: Muslim man defies curfew to help Hindu neighbour

Maqbool Hussain Laskar has emerged as an unlikely hero through his good Samaritan act, with the district authorities also recognising his good gesture.
Laskar had come to the rescue of his neighbour Rubon Das of Rajyeshwarpur Part I village at a time when Das was left without means to take his wife to the hospital on May 12 as she writhed in labour pain.

Putting his life at peril with curfew in force, Maqbool took out his autorickshaw and took Rubon and his wife to the SK Roy Civil Hospital, a few kilometers away from his village. The woman delivered a healthy boy in the hospital in the evening and the couple promptly named their son 'Shanti', hoping for peace among all sections.
As news of Laskar's help spread around the hospital, Administrator, SK Roy Civil Hospital, Bhaskar Das said the incident is a classic instance of Hindu-Muslim unity and brotherhood.

Hailakandi Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli and Superintendent of Police, Mohneesh Mishra visited the residence of Rubon and congratulated them.
"It's good to know that the baby boy has been named Shanti by the parents with the hope that lasting peace will return back in Hailakandi. I congratulate Maqbool for his valour and communal brotherhood. We need more such examples of Hindu-Muslim bhai bhai unity and amity," Jalli said.

Hailakandi was under curfew since May 10 following clashes outside a mosque in Hailakandi town that day, which had left one dead.

While curfew during day has been lifted since yesterday, night curfew is still in force in this southern Assam district.