Guwahati: A protest erupted along National Highway 17 near Azara in Guwahati on Saturday, September 26, following the death of a 22-year-old Gauhati University student whose body was recovered near Azara PHC. Residents blocked the highway, disrupting traffic on the major route connecting Guwahati with the airport.

The deceased has been identified as Nimisha Thakuria, a student pursuing a five-year integrated course at Gauhati University.

The protest intensified after a preliminary magisterial inquest reportedly recorded injury marks on Nimisha’s face, head, hands and private parts.

According to police, Nimisha was found unconscious near Garal PHC at around 4:30 am. Three men who discovered her reportedly took her to the health facility. She was later shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where doctors declared her brought dead.

Initial reports suggest that Nimisha had left home on Friday evening, telling her family that she was going out to eat. She later informed them that she would spend the night at a friend’s hostel. She had reportedly gone out with a friend and stayed at a homestay, identified as Rudra’s Kitchen in Dharapur, before she was found near the Azara area.

Nimisha’s father has alleged that the family has not received satisfactory answers regarding the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death.

According to him, Nimisha left home at around 5 pm on Friday. At approximately 2 am, she reportedly called her mother in a distressed condition and said, “Ma, they have kicked me on the chest. I cannot breathe.”

Her father said the call subsequently went silent and the family could hear the voices of some men in the background. Unable to establish what had happened, the family reportedly approached Azara Police Station and informed officers about the situation.

The family was later informed that a young woman had been brought to Garal PHC. Upon reaching the health centre, they reportedly found Nimisha receiving oxygen.

Speaking about his daughter’s death, her father demanded strict action against those responsible.

Police have detained Asik Ali in connection with the case and are questioning him. Investigators are also examining the nature of the relationship between Ali and Nimisha.

Guwahati Deputy Commissioner of Police Bolin Deori said Ali had claimed that Nimisha died by suicide after hanging herself. However, police have said the claim has not been accepted without verification and that all possible angles are being investigated.

“We have apprehended the accused, and he is in police custody, and we are questioning him. We have sent the body for post-mortem, and we can get more information later,” Deori said.

On the suspect’s claim about the circumstances of Nimisha’s death, the DCP said police would establish the facts through investigation.

According to police, Ali has acknowledged being in a relationship with Nimisha. Investigators are examining the circumstances of their meeting, the events preceding her being found unconscious and the injuries documented during the magisterial inquest.

The post-mortem examination is expected to provide further information about the cause of death, while the ongoing investigation will determine the circumstances leading to Nimisha’s death.