Protests Erupt in Assam Over Mysterious Death of College Student

Protests Following Mysterious Death

North Lakhimpur, July 14: Tensions flared outside the Bangalmora Police Outpost in Assam's Lakhimpur district on Monday after it was revealed that the body of a youth, who died under unclear circumstances during a picnic, was sent for a postmortem without notifying his family.

This incident has led to unrest in the community, with locals demanding a comprehensive investigation into the death of Nilutpal Mili, a first-semester BA student at Bihpuria College and a resident of Miri Gaon under Bangalmora.

According to a protestor, "Nilutpal Mili's body was dispatched to Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital for a postmortem without informing his parents or family. This has caused significant distress to the family."

Concerns were raised regarding the circumstances of his death, with the protestor questioning, "Why was the family kept uninformed? They suspect a premeditated conspiracy and potential murder, viewing those who were with him as suspects."

Local accounts indicate that Mili had traveled to the Sesa river area near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on Sunday with five friends: Pranjal Debnath, Arian Debnath, Sumit Das, Dibyajyoti Bora, and Biswajit Bora, using two-wheelers for their outing.

Later that evening, his friends allegedly brought him deceased to the Bangalmora Police Outpost.

The family claims that the police sent the body to Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital (LMCH) for a postmortem without their knowledge or consent.

Nilutpal Mili, a first-semester BA student of Bihpuria College who died under mysterious circumstances (Photo: AT)

The allegations have incited anger in Miri Gaon, leading a large crowd to gather outside the police outpost on Monday to demand accountability and a thorough investigation.

Another protestor called for action against the police officials involved, stating, "How could the officer-in-charge of Bangalmora send the body for a postmortem without notifying the family? Who gave the police permission without the guardians' knowledge? We only learned about it later. The OC should be suspended immediately."

In response, Lakhimpur Police detained the five youths who accompanied Mili to the picnic site and reportedly took them to the Sesa river area on Monday, located within Arunachal Pradesh, to reconstruct the events leading to his death.

As of the time of this report, the police had not released any official statement regarding the allegations or the cause of death, leaving the exact circumstances surrounding Mili's death unclear.