Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Guwahati: A young leader of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) was brutally murdered in Assam’s Nalbari district on Sunday evening, triggering widespread condemnation and raising fresh concerns over law and order in the region.
The victim, 18-year-old Madhurjya Barman, Assistant General Secretary of the West Nalbari Regional AASU and a resident of Chamata under Mukalmua Police Station, was attacked near Gangapur while travelling on a scooter with his cousin, Mridumudra Deka.
According to reports, Barman had accompanied Deka to Nalbari town to purchase books and was returning to Gangapur when unidentified assailants allegedly ambushed them just a few kilometers from their residence. Armed with sharp weapons, the attackers reportedly launched a violent assault, inflicting multiple injuries on Barman, particularly on his neck and back.
Barman succumbed to his injuries on the spot, while Deka sustained serious wounds and was rushed for medical treatment. Sources said she remains traumatised and has not yet been able to provide investigators with a detailed statement regarding the incident.
Local residents who arrived at the scene found the scooter abandoned by the roadside and Barman’s body lying nearby. The body was later shifted to Nalbari District Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The killing has sparked strong reactions from student organizations and members of the public. AASU president Utpal Sarma condemned the murder and demanded immediate action against those responsible. In a post on social media platform X, he described the incident as a serious reflection of the deteriorating law-and-order situation and warned of democratic protests if swift justice is not ensured.
Police have reportedly identified a prime suspect, Aashik Ali alias Roj, along with an alleged accomplice, Hitesh Ali. Both are currently absconding. Investigators found the suspect’s residence locked, and family members are believed to have left the area.
Security has been intensified across the locality, with police conducting search operations to trace the accused. Authorities said a comprehensive investigation is underway and assured that all those involved would be brought to justice.
Known among locals as a soft-spoken and well-liked young man, Barman’s death has left the community in shock. The incident has fuelled public anger in Nalbari, with residents demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Efforts to contact Nalbari Senior Superintendent of Police Bibekananda Das for comment were unsuccessful.