From Bullet to ballot: Alleged land mafioso Ramen Madahi set to contest BTC polls on BJP ticket

Once chased down and injured in police firing over allegations of land grabbing, Ramen Madahi has now resurfaced in the political arena as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate from the Koklabari constituency, Baksa, Assam in the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections.

On November 26, 2023, Madahi was shot at Lalung Gaon in Guwahati when police opened fire as he allegedly attempted to escape custody. The incident drew headlines at the time, with Madahi as an alleged land mafia figure entangled in multiple criminal charges.

Fast forward to today, the BJP’s decision to field Madahi has triggered sharp criticism. Locals and political observers alike have raised eyebrows at how an individual once accused in a major land fraud case has managed to secure a ticket from the ruling party. Yet, irony seems to have no shortage of takers—videos of jubilant crowds celebrating Madahi’s candidature have gone viral, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding saga.

Revisiting the roots of the controversy, Guwahati Police Commissioner Diganta Barah had revealed on November 27, 2023, that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was briefed about the land grab case. The issue prompted a joint probe by the district revenue administration and police, leading to five arrests linked to the fraud under Case No. 12/23 at the Cyber Police Station. Following confessions from the accused, police zeroed in on Madahi. His attempt to flee custody ended with a bullet injury, for which he was treated at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).