Silchar: The heinous murder of a night guard at the Hatikhira Community Health Centre in the Sribhumi district has incited turmoil in the Patharkandi areas of the district. The incident occurred in the Bazaricherra area under the jurisdiction of the Bazaricherra police station.
On Tuesday night, local residents discovered the body of 31-year-old Prasanjit Akura lying in a pool of blood at the hospital gate, prompting immediate notification of the authorities. Officer-in-charge of the Bazaricherra police station, NJ Nath, arrived with a team to launch an investigation. Furthermore, upon being alerted, the circle officer arrived at the scene. The circle officer said initial investigations imply the man was murdered, though the true nature of the crime shall be revealed through police inquiry.
The OC said after analysing CCTV footage, they apprehended a suspect named Uttam Gaud (45), a resident of the Hatikhira tea garden. The footage showed two persons at the scene, while one remains elusive. It is noteworthy that the deceased, Prasanjit Akura, also hailed from the same tea garden. Preliminary police investigations disclosed multiple injuries on the victim's body, alongside the recovery of two blood-stained iron rods, a pair of slippers, and a mobile phone from the crime scene.
On Wednesday morning, under the supervision of the circle officer, the police transported the body to Sribhumi Civil Hospital for an autopsy.
Meanwhile, an irate crowd protested on Wednesday morning along NH-8, demanding the swift apprehension of those responsible for the murder.
In response to the grim news, local MLA (Patharkandi) Krishnendu Paul assessed the situation and instructed both the police and local BJP leaders to undertake immediate measures to ensure the capture and punishment of the culprits. Sources said the deceased night guard was also a sympathiser of the BJP in the tea garden.
While the motive behind this atrocious act remains unclear, the local community harbours hope that the ongoing police investigation will elucidate the true circumstances surrounding the murder.