Assam BJP booth president murdered in Sribhumi; 6 detained, prohibitory orders imposed
Synopsis
A BJP booth president missing for two days was found murdered near the Assam-Tripura border, allegedly hacked with a machete over personal enmity. Six are detained, one was shot in the leg after attacking a constable while trying to escape — and the killing set off arson and vandalism serious enough to trigger prohibitory orders across Sribhumi district.
Key Takeaways
Bikash Ranjan Dhar , 52 , BJP booth president from Chagalmowa village , was found murdered near the Assam-Tripura border on Friday .
Dhar had been missing since 12 August ; his body was recovered near a pond at Jogichhara after police traced his call records.
Six people have been detained, including two alleged key accused aged 24 and 30 ; one allegedly confessed to killing Dhar with a machete .
One accused attempted to escape custody and attacked a constable; police opened fire, injuring him in the left leg .
Arson and vandalism erupted in Chagalmowa and Bazaricherra ; prohibitory orders were imposed under Section 163 of the BNSS .
Police say preliminary investigation points to personal enmity as the motive; the probe is continuing.
The body of Bikash Ranjan Dhar, a 52-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) booth president from Chagalmowa village in Assam's Sribhumi district, was recovered near the Assam-Tripura border on Friday after he had been missing for nearly two days, police said. The discovery triggered protests, arson, and vandalism across several localities, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders.
How the Body Was Found
Dhar had left home on his motorcycle on 12 August and failed to return. His family lodged a missing person complaint after losing contact with him. Police traced his movements by analysing his call records, which eventually led investigators to the accused. His body was recovered from an area near a pond at Jogichhara.
Six Detained, Alleged Confession Recorded
Police have detained six people in connection with the murder, including two alleged key accused aged 24 and 30. According to police, one of the detained suspects allegedly confessed during questioning that Dhar was killed with a machete. The identities of those detained have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Trinayan Bhuyan said preliminary findings point to personal enmity as the likely motive. '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.
Accused Attempts Escape, Police Open Fire
The investigation took a dramatic turn when one of the accused allegedly attempted to flee from police custody and attacked a constable with a sharp object. Police opened fire during the incident, injuring the accused in the left leg before overpowering and returning him to custody, according to Bhuyan.
Protests, Arson, and Prohibitory Orders
News of Dhar's death triggered unrest in Chagalmowa, Bazaricherra, and adjoining areas, with incidents of vandalism and arson reported from several locations. Shops were set ablaze during the violence. The district administration responded by imposing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent further escalation. Authorities said the situation has since been brought under control.
The investigation into both the murder and the circumstances surrounding the subsequent violence is ongoing, with further details expected as the probe progresses.
Point of View
Often forestalling harder questions about organised violence. The fact that one accused attacked a constable mid-custody and had to be shot is an unusual escalation that deserves scrutiny beyond the murder itself. How the state government responds — and whether it commissions an independent review of political violence in border districts — will matter more than the initial arrest count.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bikash Ranjan Dhar and why was he killed?
Bikash Ranjan Dhar was a 52-year-old BJP booth president from Chagalmowa village in Assam's Sribhumi district. According to police, preliminary investigation suggests the killing was linked to personal enmity, though the full motive is still under investigation.
How did police find Dhar's body?
Dhar went missing on 12 August after leaving home on his motorcycle. Police traced his movements by analysing his call records, which led them to the accused. His body was subsequently recovered near a pond at Jogichhara, close to the Assam-Tripura border.
How many people have been detained in connection with the murder?
Six people have been detained, including two alleged key accused aged 24 and 30. One of the detained suspects allegedly confessed during questioning that Dhar was killed with a machete. Police have not yet publicly disclosed their identities.
What happened during the post-murder unrest in Sribhumi?
The recovery of Dhar's body triggered protests, vandalism, and arson in Chagalmowa, Bazaricherra, and adjoining areas, with shops set ablaze. The district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to contain the violence. Authorities say the situation has since been brought under control.
Was anyone injured during the investigation?
Yes. One of the detained accused allegedly attempted to escape from police custody and attacked a constable with a sharp object. Police opened fire, injuring the accused in the left leg, before overpowering and returning him to custody, according to Additional SP (Crime) Trinayan Bhuyan.
