Tension escalated in Ballamguri village under Gossaigaon subdivision of Assam’s Kokrajhar district after locals discovered the body of a man under mysterious circumstances on Monday evening. The shocking recovery has triggered widespread panic and sparked suspicions of foul play among residents.
Villagers found the body lying in a secluded part of the village, partially concealed by tall grass and scattered shrubs. Locals immediately alerted the Gossaigaon police, who rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area.
Police officials confirmed that the deceased remains unidentified as of now. They shifted the body to Gossaigaon Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Investigators have already launched an inquiry and begun questioning nearby residents.
“We have launched a full-fledged investigation. Prima facie, there are no visible signs of injuries, but we are not ruling anything out at this point,” said a senior police officer involved in the case. Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem report, which will shed light on the circumstances of death.
Residents expressed fear and anxiety over the incident, with many calling it a rare and disturbing occurrence in the peaceful village. “We are scared. Nothing like this has happened here before. People are afraid to step outside after dark,” said a local woman who lives near the site.
Some villagers reported hearing unusual sounds on Sunday night, raising the possibility that the death may have occurred earlier than when the body was found. Others claimed to have seen strangers moving in the area over the past few days. Police are now examining these statements to piece together a timeline.
Officials from the forensic department also arrived at the site late Monday evening to collect evidence, including soil samples, clothing remnants, and any potential traces of struggle. Police have sealed the area and are scanning CCTV footage from nearby establishments to trace movement patterns.
Local youth organizations and civil society groups have urged the police to fast-track the investigation and maintain law and order. “This incident has deeply unsettled our village. We demand swift action and increased patrolling to ensure such things do not happen again,” said a representative from the All Bodo Students’ Union.
Gossaigaon MLA Jiron Basumatary also expressed concern and assured the villagers of justice. “The police have my full support. I will ensure the authorities leave no stone unturned in identifying the victim and unearthing the truth behind this mysterious death,” he told reporters.
In a bid to calm the tension, the district administration has increased night patrols and deployed additional personnel in and around Ballamguri. The Superintendent of Police has instructed officers to maintain communication with villagers and update them regularly on investigation progress.
Police are also looking into missing person reports filed in nearby districts over the past week to match any potential identity of the deceased. They believe establishing the man’s identity will be crucial to cracking the case.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl across social media, with many expressing alarm over the possibility of a murder. Authorities have urged the public not to spread unverified information and to report anything suspicious directly to law enforcement.
“We request the media and public to cooperate with us. Unverified rumours will only create more panic. Let the investigation proceed based on facts,” said the police spokesperson.
As the investigation gains momentum, Gossaigaon waits anxiously for answers. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the death and the absence of immediate clues have deepened the village’s unease.
Following the discovery, law enforcement agencies intensified their surveillance across Gossaigaon and nearby border areas. Sources within the Kokrajhar district administration revealed that security forces are also investigating whether the incident has any links to cross-border criminal activity or smuggling routes. The area’s proximity to the Indo-Bhutan border has prompted authorities to examine all possibilities.
Police have also contacted mobile service providers to track phone activity in the vicinity during the timeframe suspected for the death. “We are examining mobile tower dumps and call detail records from the night before the body was found. This data will help us identify any suspicious movement or communication,” said a source from the crime investigation team.
In a separate development, family members of a missing youth from the neighbouring district of Dhubri approached Gossaigaon police after reading about the discovery online. Officers collected their statements and began the process of cross-checking identifying features, although official confirmation remains pending.
Meanwhile, senior officials from the Kokrajhar district crime branch convened an emergency meeting with village heads and local security personnel on Tuesday. The meeting focused on strengthening community policing and encouraging residents to report unfamiliar individuals or activities immediately.
The Kokrajhar administration is also planning to set up additional CCTV cameras at strategic locations across the Gossaigaon subdivision. “Enhanced surveillance infrastructure is now a top priority. We cannot afford to leave rural areas vulnerable to potential criminal threats,” said a district official.
Local schools and colleges have taken precautionary steps by modifying class timings and advising students to travel in groups. Women’s safety groups have also initiated awareness drives in Ballamguri and surrounding hamlets to help residents stay alert and safe.
As the investigation continues, Kokrajhar police have set up a special helpline number and are appealing to the public for information that could assist the case. Authorities believe that even a minor detail could prove critical in uncovering the identity of the deceased and solving the mystery.
The state government has directed the district administration to submit a preliminary report within 48 hours. Assam’s Home Department has taken cognizance of the matter and is monitoring developments closely, given the growing public concern and social media traction.
Officials remain tight-lipped about the potential motive or background of the incident, but their expanded investigation and inter-departmental coordination suggest that authorities are treating the case with utmost seriousness.