In a tragic incident of unrequited love, a 19-year-old leader of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) was killed and his cousin sister critically injured in a machete attack by a teenager in Assam's Nalbari district. The assailant was later gunned down by police while trying to escape after his arrest, officials said on Monday.
Attack Details
The attack took place in Gangapur village near Jagara on Sunday evening when the victims were returning home from Nalbari town after purchasing books. The deceased, identified as Madhurjya Barman, served as assistant secretary of Paschim Nalbari Aanchalik Satra Santha, a regional unit of AASU. He sustained severe cuts on his head and neck and was declared dead upon arrival at Nalbari Medical College and Hospital.
His cousin sister, a Class 11 student, suffered serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.
Assailant's Actions
According to police, the accused, identified as Ashik Ali alias Roj Ali, stopped Barman's scooter about 300 meters from the sister's residence and attacked them with a machete. Nalbari Superintendent of Police Bibekananda Das stated that police received a tip-off about Ali's presence at an interior riverine island, or 'char', in Mukalmua. A team rushed to apprehend him, but during the operation, Ali snatched a self-loading rifle from a policeman and fired three rounds at the team, hitting their vehicles. In retaliation, law enforcers shot him, with one bullet striking his chest. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
Motive of Rejected Love
Another officer revealed that the incident stemmed from rejected love. Ali had proposed to the injured sister some time ago when she was in Class 9, but she rejected his proposal. Aggrieved, Ali had threatened to kill her in front of her parents. When the girl's parents wanted to file a police complaint, Ali's family requested them not to do so, promising he would not disturb her again. Consequently, no complaint was lodged. However, Ali suddenly attacked her, and her brother lost his life while trying to protect her.
Reaction and Protest
AASU vice president Bhabajit Bezbaruah condemned the attack and demanded immediate legal action against the accused. The organization held a protest rally through the main roads of Nalbari town, raising slogans against the incident and demanding justice for the deceased.
