The body of a local BJP leader who went missing two days ago was found inside an abandoned house near the Assam-Tripura border in Sripura district on Friday.
Police said that they detained six in relation to the alleged murder.
52-year-old Bikash Ranjan Dhar, a local BJP leader who hailed from Chagalmowa village, went missing after leaving his home on August 12.
His family later filed a missing person’s report. Police later detained two persons in connection with the case
Trinayan Bhuyan, Additional Superintendent of Police of the Sribhumi district, said that they discovered that it was a murder case during interrogation. “During interrogation, we came to know that it is a murder case. We apprehended them, and based on their revelation, we recovered the body. The apprehended persons are Badrul Hoque and Sahabuddin. Our investigation is on, and if any others are involved in the case, we will catch them," Bhuyan said.
The BJP leader’s body was found near a pond in Jogichhara on Friday.
One of the accused persons was injured after police opened fire at him while he was trying to escape custody. He also reportedly tried to attack police personnel during the recovery of the murder weapon.
Bhuyan said that one constable was injured in the attack. About six people were arrested in connection with the murder. One of the accused admitted that the BJP leader was allegedly killed with a machete.
“Based on the complaint, we started tracing him and followed his call records, which led the investigators to the accused persons. Preliminary findings suggest that the murder was the result of personal enmity,” a senior police officer said.
The recovery of the body led to protests in Chagalmowa, Bazaricherra and adjoining areas with incidents of vandalism and arson.
Police said that the district administration had to impose a prohibitory order after shops were set ablaze. Residents took to the streets carrying sticks. Police said that the situation was under control and did not attribute the violence to any community.
