Northeast Buddhist bodies demand urgent action, justice for slain monk

Outrage is growing across the Buddhist community in Northeast India as the investigation into the killing of Venerable Indrabonsho Bhikkhu, the Head Monk of Inthem Mungong Buddha Vihar in Margherita, Assam shows no major progress even three days after the incident.

Demanding immediate action, three prominent Buddhist organisations from the region submitted separate memorandums to the Margherita Co-District Administration on November 26, urging authorities to arrest the culprits and deliver justice without delay.

The Purbanchal Bhikkhu Sangha, the All-Assam Buddhist Association, and the Federation of Barua Buddhist Welfare Association of Assam each handed in their appeals, calling for a thorough probe and the harshest punishment for those behind the monk’s killing.

Leaders from the organisations said the Buddhist community, while committed to the teachings of peace, harmony, and compassion preached by Gautam Buddha, cannot remain silent in the face of such a heinous crime. They stressed that justice for the slain monk is essential to restore faith and ensure such incidents are never repeated.

Indrabonsho Bhikkhu, the chief monk of Inthem Mungong Buddha Vihar, in Margherita, was found dead inside a room at the monastery on November 23. Investigators recovered a blood-stained axe from beside the body, raising immediate suspicions of foul play.