A 19-year-old student is dead, an 18-year-old girl remains in critical condition and the prime accused in the case has been killed in a police encounter as a violent incident in Assam’s Nalbari district continues to draw widespread attention across the state.
The case has also triggered a strong political response, with BJP MLA and Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah visiting the injured girl at the hospital and speaking out against what he described as a growing social menace.
The incident took place late on the night of May 30 near Gangapur under Mukalmua in Nalbari district. Madhurjya Barman, 19 and Mridumudra Deka, 18 were returning home on a scooter after visiting Nalbari town when they were allegedly attacked.
When people reached the spot, Madhurjya was found dead on the roadside. Mridumudra, who had suffered serious injuries, was rushed to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Guwahati and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Madhurjya Barman was the Assistant General Secretary of the West Nalbari Regional Students’ Union. His death has sparked grief and anger in the local community.
Police later identified Roz Ali and Ashik Ali as the accused in the attack.
Following the incident, Assam Police launched a large-scale search operation. On June 1, police tracked down the prime accused, Roz Ali, in Mukalmua. During an encounter, Roz Ali was shot dead. Efforts to trace the second accused, Ashik Ali, and others allegedly linked to the case are continuing.
The incident has also led to allegations from local residents and organisations that the attack was connected to Mridumudra Deka’s rejection of a proposal from one of the accused. As the accused belong to a different community, some sections of society have described the incident as “love jihad”.
However, Assam Police have not officially confirmed this as the motive behind the attack. The investigation remains underway, and police have stated that all possible angles are being examined.
Amid growing public concern, Nalbari MLA and Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah visited the hospital where Mridumudra Deka is undergoing treatment. He met her family members, spoke with doctors and reviewed her medical condition with hospital authorities.
“The injured girl has shown considerable improvement compared to yesterday. Blood required for her treatment has also been arranged. We are hopeful and praying for her recovery,” Baruah told reporters after the visit.
The minister also paid tribute to Madhurjya Barman.
“He was a good student and a young man with great potential. It is a very unfortunate incident,” he said.
Baruah further raised concerns over what he termed a growing problem in Assam.
“‘Love Jihad’ is an incurable menace that is rapidly advancing in the social life of Assam. We must all remain vigilant about this issue and take the strictest possible measures against it. The incident that occurred at Gangapur in Nalbari district has shocked us all. The police administration is currently acting swiftly, and we believe that Assam Police will take appropriate action,” he said.
