A violent night in a tea estate in Assam culminated in a fatal police shooting after a man armed with a machete attacked his neighbours and then turned on law enforcement officers. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, unfolded at the Bordiroi Tea Estate in the Demow area of Sivasagar district.
A History of Violence and a Family in Fear
The man at the centre of the tragedy has been identified as 41-year-old Ranjit Pandov. According to police and local residents, Pandov was known to be an alcoholic with a long history of creating disturbances. His violent behaviour was primarily directed at his own family. He allegedly subjected his wife and five children—one son and four teenage daughters—to regular beatings with sticks and threats with a machete, often stating he would kill them.
Living in constant terror, Pandov's wife and children made the difficult decision to flee their home just two days before the fatal night. They sought refuge at their maternal uncle's house, hoping to escape the daily cycle of abuse and threats to their safety.
The Night of Terror Unfolds
On Tuesday night around 8:30 PM, the situation reached a critical point. After consuming alcohol, Pandov became violently agitated and began causing a major disturbance in the neighbourhood. The commotion prompted his next-door neighbours, Mortin Pandov and his wife Geeta Pandov, to intervene. They pleaded with him to quiet down as their daughter was preparing for her crucial Class 10 board examinations.
This intervention, however, had the opposite effect. Enraged, Ranjit Pandov attacked the couple with his machete. Mortin suffered a deep cut on his neck, while Geeta was slashed on her leg. Both victims, critically injured, were first taken to Demow Model Hospital before being referred to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh for advanced, life-saving treatment.
Confrontation with Police Leads to Fatal Shooting
Even after brutally assaulting his neighbours, Pandov's rampage continued. When members of the local Village Defence Party (VDP) tried to subdue him, he attempted to attack them as well, forcing them to call the police. A team from Demow Police Station, which included female officers, promptly arrived at the scene.
For over 40 minutes, the police personnel attempted to negotiate with Pandov and calm him down peacefully. Their efforts were in vain. Pandov grew increasingly aggressive and began chasing the police team, brandishing his machete and trying to attack them.
Demow Co-District Superintendent of Police (CDSP) Hiren Kumar Deka provided a detailed account of the final moments. "When Ranjit Pandov advanced menacingly with the machete towards police commando Rupam Borpatra of the 4th Commando Battalion, who was part of the police team, Borpatra fired two warning shots," Deka stated. "When he kept advancing, the commando fired two shots at his leg, which hit him in his thigh."
Aftermath and Critical Condition of Victims
After being shot, Pandov was rushed to Demow Model Hospital in a police vehicle due to the unavailability of an ambulance. He was later shifted to AMCH, again transported by police, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police officials confirmed he succumbed to excessive bleeding from his wounds.
The victims of his initial attack are still fighting for their lives. Mortin Pandov remains in a critical condition in the ICU, battling severe injuries. In a slight relief, his wife Geeta is reported to be out of immediate danger, according to the latest police updates.
The incident has highlighted the extreme challenges faced by both families living with domestic violence and police officers who are forced to make split-second decisions in life-threatening situations. An investigation into the entire sequence of events is underway.
