Guwahati: A BJP booth president who had been missing since August 12 was found dead near the Assam-Tripura border in Sribhumi district, triggering protests and clashes in parts of the area, police said on Saturday.
The deceased, identified as 52-year-old Bikash Ranjan Dhar of Chagalmowa village, had gone out on his motorcycle on August 12 and did not return.
After failing to establish contact with him, Dhar’s family approached the police and reported him missing.
As part of the search, investigators examined his phone call records and identified several people for questioning. His body was eventually located near a pond in Jogichhara on Friday.
Police have detained six people over the killing, including two suspects aged 24 and 30 who are believed to have a key role in the case.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Trinayan Bhuyan said investigators currently suspect personal enmity to be behind the murder. He said the phone records helped police trace the suspects.
Police said one of the detained persons later tried to escape and attacked a constable with a sharp weapon while in custody.
According to Bhuyan, police fired at the suspect during the incident, hitting him in the left leg. He was subsequently overpowered and taken back into custody.
News of Dhar’s body being found led to protests in Chagalmowa, Bazaricherra and adjoining areas.
The protests were followed by vandalism and incidents of arson, with some shops reportedly set on fire.
The district administration subsequently enforced restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to contain the unrest and maintain public order.
Police said normalcy has since been restored, while the investigation into Dhar’s death and the violence that followed remains underway.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the six detainees. Police said additional information will be shared as the investigation develops.