Digboi: A 48-year-old man, Pritam Thapa, died at a private hospital in Assam’s Dibrugarh on October 29, nine days after he was allegedly stabbed during a dispute over Rs 500.
The incident took place on October 20, during Maha Navami celebrations, at No. 2 Ngkung Pathar near Pawai Forest Village under Digboi Police Station in Tinsukia district.
Thapa’s death has left residents of the area grieving. District-level Gorkha community leaders have also expressed concern over alleged gambling, alcohol consumption and drug-related activities in the locality.
Following his death, Digboi Police registered a murder case against the alleged attacker, identified as Karna Bahadur Rai, around 56, who reportedly belongs to an area under Margherita Police Station. Rai is also injured and remains admitted to a private hospital in Dibrugarh.
Digboi Police Station Inspector Pranjal Chetia confirmed that a case had been registered and said the prosecution would proceed under the relevant provisions of law. He added that the accused was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dibrugarh.
According to local accounts, Rai arrived at No. 2 Ngkung Pathar on October 20. Thapa reportedly confronted him over an alleged pending payment of Rs 500, leading to an argument. The dispute escalated, and Rai allegedly pulled out a knife and attacked Thapa.
A youth identified as Rupah Jadabdhara tried to intervene but sustained a serious knife injury to his hand. Rai allegedly attacked Thapa again, stabbing him in the abdomen and leaving him critically injured.
Thapa was first taken to Margherita Civil Hospital and later referred to Tata Hospital in Chabua. As his condition remained critical, he was shifted to a private hospital in Dibrugarh for further treatment. He died on October 29 despite nine days of medical care.
Thapa’s death has also raised concerns about the future of his three children. On Thursday, district and regional office-bearers of the Gorkha Students’ Union and hundreds of villagers attended a meeting at his residence.
The gathering decided to invite members of the accused’s family for discussions on their responsibility towards the children’s upbringing and welfare.
Speaking to the media, district-level Gorkha community leaders alleged that widespread gambling in the locality had contributed to the circumstances behind the incident.
They called for police action against gambling, drug abuse, alcohol consumption and other alleged narcotics-related activities, warning that these could pose further risks to public safety and social order if left unchecked.
The incident has also brought wider law-and-order concerns in the remote locality to the fore.
Residents have called for strict legal action and continued police intervention to curb the alleged antisocial activities.