More than a month after a brutal assault in Assam’s Nalbari district sent shockwaves across the state, 18-year-old Mridumudra Deka succumbed to her injuries at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on July 3, raising the death toll in the case to two.
Mridumudra had been undergoing treatment at GMCH since she sustained critical injuries in the alleged attack that took place on the night of May 30 at Gangapur under Mukalmua. Despite prolonged medical care, doctors were unable to save her.
The incident had earlier claimed the life of 19-year-old Madhurjya Barman, a resident of Balipathar in Chamata and Assistant General Secretary of the West Nalbari Regional Students’ Union. He died at the scene after the attack.
According to the investigation, Mridumudra and Madhurjya were returning home on a scooter from Nalbari town when they were allegedly intercepted and attacked by Roz Ali. Passersby later found the two lying critically injured by the roadside. While Madhurjya was declared dead on the spot, Mridumudra was initially taken to a nearby hospital before being shifted to GMCH in Guwahati for advanced treatment.
The incident triggered widespread protests across Nalbari, with student organisations, local residents and civil society groups demanding swift justice and strict action against those responsible.
The case also drew significant public attention after some groups linked the incident to allegations of “love jihad”. However, Assam Police have not officially established any such motive, and the investigation has not endorsed those claims.
With Mridumudra’s death, the case has become even more serious, intensifying calls for a speedy investigation and prosecution of those involved.
Meanwhile, the prime accused, Roz Ali, was killed in a police encounter conducted by Assam Police in the Mukalmua area during the course of the investigation.
