Women appeal Assam CM demanding justice in arms haul case, alleged murders and land grabbing

Following the seizure of sophisticated arms and explosives from an abandoned factory in Boko’s Borpara village earlier this month, several women from the local community have come forward with grave allegations, demanding a high-level probe and intervention from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

On the night of July 3, based on confidential intelligence inputs, a joint operation conducted by the Kamrup District and City Police led to the recovery of an AK-47 assault rifle, 142 live rounds, a pistol, a revolver, and explosive materials from a deserted factory site in Borpara. Four individuals, including Pranab Mohanta, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

In the aftermath of the high-profile raid, a press conference was held on Wednesday at the residence of late Shailen Kalita in Borpara, during which family members and residents made explosive claims implicating Pranab Mohanta in multiple past crimes, including alleged murders and land-grabbing.

Meera Kalita, wife of late Shailen Kalita, claimed that although her husband’s death had long been believed to be a result of a road accident, she now suspects that it was a planned murder orchestrated by Pranab Mohanta. She further alleged that her two sons also died under suspicious circumstances, and accused Mohanta of involvement in their deaths as well. Meera Kalita earnestly appealed to the Chief Minister for a comprehensive investigation and justice.

Adding to the serious allegations, Arpana Bharali, a resident of Balapara village, accused Pranab Mohanta of abducting and murdering her brothers, Madan Bharali and Biswajit Bharali, on July 1, 2002. She claimed that the two were taken away in the same vehicle and have been missing ever since. Despite lodging a formal complaint at the Boko Police Station, no significant breakthrough has been achieved in the case. Arpana attributed the alleged police inaction to Mohanta’s political connections, asserting that his ties with influential leaders and officials have shielded him from prosecution.

Arpana further revealed that she had reached out to several high-ranking leaders in the past, including former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministers Keshab Mahanta, Atul Bora, Ramendra Narayan Kalita, and Phanibhushan Choudhury, and submitted relevant case documents to the Assam Police. Yet, she expressed disappointment that justice remains elusive.

Another villager, Namita Rabha, leveled allegations of land grabbing and document forgery against Mohanta. Rabha claimed that Mohanta manipulated land records using forged documents from the Guwahati Mahapress, replacing the names of legitimate owners with his own and those of his ancestors. She alleged that Mohanta had forcibly occupied plots ranging from 5 to 45 bighas from multiple individuals using threats and fraudulent means.

Nearly ten women from Borpara participated in the press conference and appealed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging his direct intervention to ensure stringent legal action against Pranab Mohanta and justice for the affected families.