Seventh Anniversary of Lynching in Assam: Families Still Seek Justice

Remembering Abhijeet Nath and Nilotpal Das
Guwahati, June 8: Today marks seven years since the tragic lynching of Abhijeet Nath and Nilotpal Das in the Dokmoka region of Karbi Anglong, Assam. On June 8, 2018, these two young men from Guwahati were wrongly identified as child abductors and brutally killed by a mob, an incident that shocked the state.
Despite widespread public outrage, commitments from political figures, and a charge sheet listing 48 suspects, the victims' families continue to face a painfully slow judicial process.
Initially promised as a "fast-track" trial, the proceedings have been anything but swift. Over the past seven years, the case has been overseen by six different judges, with numerous delays attributed to court holidays, attorney absences, and procedural issues.
According to the families, the prospect of justice feels as distant as ever.
“There’s hardly anything to say anymore. The months and years have passed in silence, one delay after another,” stated Ajit Kumar Nath, Abhijeet's father, during a press interaction.
The recording of statements from 71 witnesses was finally concluded on December 21, 2023. Just when the family hoped for progress, the defense raised concerns that three of the accused might be minors, shifting the court's focus once again.
“For us, every single day has been a battle for justice. He was my only son. Our world collapsed that day, but we’ve had to gather courage and walk into courtrooms again and again. The process is so slow, so disheartening, that people around us are beginning to lose hope in the system itself,” Nath expressed.
Similarly, Gopal Chandra Das, Nilotpal’s father, shared his frustration over the state's lack of urgency.
“We don’t remember our son just today; we remember him every moment of our lives. The government might have issued statements back then, but nothing has changed. The court gives us dates with long gaps in between. For the past one-and-a-half years, it feels like the case has completely stalled. All we hear is ‘juvenile, juvenile’, no progress, no answers,” he lamented.
He also criticized the absence of effective legislative measures against mob lynching in Assam. “Some states across India have enacted anti-mob lynching laws following directives from the Centre. Why is Assam silent? Mob violence continues to occur, often going unreported. Back then, the Chief Minister asked us to refrain from protests, promising justice. That promise remains unfulfilled,” he stated.
The lynching of Abhijeet and Nilotpal in 2018 sparked widespread protests across Assam and beyond.
The two friends had embarked on a nature trip to the picturesque Karbi Anglong hills but were attacked by a mob on their way back, allegedly incited by rumors of child abductors.
This case has underscored the perils of misinformation and mob mentality, leading to calls for stricter laws and prompt judicial action.