Suspected Drug Link: Dholai Man Drowns in Rukni River While Fleeing Pursuers

The body of a 35-year-old man, who allegedly jumped into the Rukni River while trying to escape a group of youths, was recovered on Wednesday (October 7) in the area between Nagdirgram Part III and Narsingpur-Dholai along the Dholai-Sonai border. Police have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including an unverified suspected link to a drug-related dispute.

The deceased has been identified by his family as Imam Hossain Barbhuiya, son of Qutub Uddin Barbhuiya and a resident of Bishnupur village under Mathurapur Gaon Panchayat in South Dholai.

According to local sources, two youths were allegedly chased by a group of other youths near the Rukni River during the afternoon. The two reportedly jumped into the river to escape. While one of them managed to swim across and flee, Imam Hossain went missing in the water.

An SDRF team was called to the spot and began a search operation. His body was reportedly recovered after around 10 minutes of searching. Family members who reached the spot later identified the body.

Sonai Police subsequently took custody of the body and sent it to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The circumstances leading to Imam Hossain’s presence at the spot remain unclear. According to his family, he left home at around 8 am on Wednesday after a person known to him came to call him. His wife said he had not even had food before leaving and was told that he had to go and collect money from someone.

“Who took him and who killed him?” the wife asked, saying the family does not know what happened to him after he left home.

The family said Imam Hossain was seen in the Dholai market area until around noon. How he subsequently reached the Rukni River area remains one of the questions being examined.

The incident has also brought an alleged drug connection into focus. Unconfirmed local claims suggest that the incident could have followed a dispute or transaction linked to the drug trade. Some local sources further claimed that several youths arrived at the spot in a vehicle and that others were already present there.

However, these claims have not been officially confirmed by the police. It is also not yet clear who the youths allegedly chasing the two men were, why they were pursuing them or whether the incident had any connection with drugs.

Sonai and Dholai Police reached the area after receiving information about the incident. The recovery of the body has led to further questions about the events preceding Imam Hossain’s death.

Police investigation is expected to establish who accompanied Imam Hossain to the area, what led to the alleged chase and whether there was any criminal or drug-related dispute behind the incident. The post-mortem examination is also expected to provide further information about the circumstances of his death.

The incident has caused grief in Imam Hossain’s family and concern among local residents as police continue their investigation.