Assam: Concerns of secret killings erupt over Jorhat youth's death

Jayanta Borah death

On Sunday night in Titabor district of Jorhat, at Borholla, Assam an incident has dismayed the residents of the area. It was around midnight 12 AM when Police along with an Army team entered Hemen and Lila Bora's house. They were on the lookout for Jayanta Borah, their son, who was apprehended when he was sleeping in his bed. The tragedy struck the family when in morning news surfaced that the youth has died.

A dive back to past in Assam: Mysterious circumstances

There are claims of blood seen and as such concerned citizens have evoked the post 1980s in Assam, which saw incidences of secret killings. "What was his fault? That's for the law to decide. But, democracy has been killed. When will Assamese people get justice?" raised KMSS. The local unit also called out Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal to not just provide "mere compensation" but to initiate a full enquiry on the matter. Along with KMSS other civil organisations like Assam Jatiyota Yuva Parisad Borhalla and others have raised voice against the matter. AJYCP has also written a letter to Assam CM.

A post-Morten has been necessitated in JMCH. Meanwhile, GP Singh spoke to media, "we have necessitated investigation. There will be a DM enquiry". On being asked by a reporter whether the case can be registered even if its the army, the official said, "yes even if its the army". The mother of the deceased has already lodged an FIR.

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Lack of clarity

As per local sources inside the Police, they too are "unclear" as to why was Borah taken into custody. The Gaon Bura (village head) spoke to Inside Northeast, "the police station informed me of the death and I don't know much. The army came and was not informed". Speaking to one of the officials on whether he was beaten, "we don't know what happened in that army vehicle, we cant say that".

Alleged "blood" stains found during post-mortem

Meanwhile, the grandmother braved the barrage of reporters, "they (army and police) came and didn't say anything. After that, she broke down and said, "why would they kill him?"

So far, there is no information regarding why Jayanta Borah was approached. A Police official could only say, maybe some "arms case" might be there but "we have no records of him linked with extremists, I don't know what the Army had". What happened to him after he was apprehended that finally led to his death? This question remains unanswered as of now.

Meanwhile, the family mourns for a loss they can't yet fathom why.