Assam: Former teacher, cultural activist found dead in pond under mysterious circumstances in Bongaigaon

A former school teacher and cultural activist was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a pond near his home in Assam's Bongaigaon district on Monday night, July 20.
 

The deceased has been identified as Nilmoni Roy, a former teacher at Abhayapuri Sankardev Shishu Niketan. He was also a well-known Bihu artiste and an accomplished pepa player.
 

According to the local residents, passersby noticed a motorcycle parked by the roadside at Pahartali in Abhayapuri at around 10.30 p.m. Growing suspicious, they searched the surrounding area and spotted a helmet floating in the middle of a nearby pond.
 

On being informed, a team from Abhayapuri Police Station rushed to the spot and recovered Nilmoni Roy's body from the pond. He was still wearing his helmet when the body was pulled out of the water.
 

Family members said Nilmoni Roy had gone to the market and was returning to his residence at Pahartali Khudra Narikola, located about 500 metres from where the body was found. Grocery items purchased from the market were found in a bag attached to the motorcycle.
 

The circumstances leading to the death remain unclear. Investigators are trying to ascertain how Nilmoni Roy ended up in the pond, which is situated on the opposite side of the road from where the motorcycle was found.
 

Police have launched an investigation to determine whether the death was the result of an accident or involved foul play. Further investigation is underway.