March 22, 2025: A tragic incident of moral policing has once again sent shockwaves across Assam as a 24-year-old man named Lal Mohan Roy lost his life after being brutally assaulted by a group of villagers in Kathalbari, under Routa, Udalguri district. The horrific incident, which took place on the night of March 13, has sparked widespread public outrage, eventually forcing the police to arrest two of the accused following intense protests.
According to sources, Roy was attacked around 11 PM by three individuals — Girija Newar, Khem Newar (alias Bitu Newar), and Suraj Magar — on suspicion of betel nut theft. Reports allege that the attackers tied his hands and legs before viciously beating him, leaving him critically injured.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and took Roy to Routa Police Station. He was subsequently shifted to Routa Model Hospital for medical evaluation. However, as his condition worsened, he was referred to Tezpur Medical College Hospital. Despite medical intervention, Roy succumbed to his injuries on March 20 at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
The tragic incident drew widespread condemnation from various quarters. The All Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union (AKRSU) strongly criticized the incident, with its Central President Atul Barman expressing disappointment over the police's failure to arrest any of the accused even 24 hours after Roy's death.
Before his demise, Roy reportedly informed his family that three individuals had assaulted him. Acting on this information, the family lodged a formal complaint at Routa Police Station. Under mounting pressure from public protests, the police arrested two of the accused — Suraj Magar and Girija Magar — on March 21. The third accused, Khem Newar (alias Bitu Newar), remains at large.
This incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over moral policing in Assam. Civil society organizations have demanded swift legal action and stricter laws to prevent such violent acts in the future. Meanwhile, the police investigation is ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend the remaining accused.