A violent altercation over a bidi led to a knife attack on a young labourer at a workers’ camp in Moshi on Monday night. The incident took place around 10:45 pm at the Aishwaryam Hamara Labour Camp, where a dispute reportedly escalated after a worker refused to give a bidi for the second time. Police arrested 24-year-old Yasuddin Sadik Miyan Ansari, a resident of the same labour camp, in connection with the assault. The injured labourer has been identified as Hriday alias Rahul Vikas Mandal, aged 19, originally from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and currently residing in Moshi. He lodged an official complaint with the police on Tuesday.
According to police officials, complainant Rahul Mandal was having dinner inside his room along with a few friends when the accused approached him and allegedly demanded another bidi. Rahul reportedly refused to hand it over, which angered the accused. Investigators said Yasuddin Ansari became aggressive, started verbally abusing Rahul, and soon attacked him with a knife in a fit of rage. The victim sustained injuries during the assault and was later provided medical treatment. Police have registered a case based on Rahul’s complaint and further investigation into the incident is currently underway.