Assam encounter: Prime accused Roz Ali dies after Nalbari attack on two girls
Synopsis
The prime accused in the killing of a 19-year-old student in Assam's Nalbari district died in a police encounter on Monday, less than 48 hours after the attack. With the second accused still at large and the motive officially unconfirmed, the case has ignited a fierce public debate in Assam over women's safety and the contested 'love jihad' narrative.
Key Takeaways
Roz Ali , prime accused in the Nalbari scooter attack , died of encounter injuries on Monday, 2 June in Mukalmua, Assam .
Madhurjya Barman , 19 , was killed in the 31 May attack; she was the Assistant General Secretary of the West Nalbari Regional Students' Union .
Mridumudra Deka , 18 , remains in the ICU at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital .
Second accused Ashik Ali is still at large; police say the investigation is ongoing.
Some groups have alleged a 'love jihad' angle; police have not officially confirmed any motive.
Nalbari MLA Jayanta Malla Baruah praised the police response and offered condolences to the victim's family.
The prime accused in the fatal attack on two young women in Assam's Nalbari district, identified as Roz Ali, died of injuries sustained during a police encounter in the Mukalmua area on Monday, 2 June, officials said. Ali was shot while allegedly attempting to flee security personnel who had launched an intensive manhunt following the Saturday night assault in the Gangapur locality.
The Attack and Its Victims
The incident occurred near Gangapur under Mukalmua police station limits on the night of 31 May, when two young women travelling on a scooter were allegedly set upon by Roz Ali and a second accused, Ashik Ali. Madhurjya Barman, 19, a resident of Balipathar in Chamata and the Assistant General Secretary of the West Nalbari Regional Students' Union, died at the scene from severe injuries. The second victim, Mridumudra Deka, 18, sustained grievous injuries and was rushed to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where she remains admitted in the intensive care unit.
The Encounter and Roz Ali's Death
Following the attack, Assam Police launched a district-wide search operation to trace the accused. According to officials, Roz Ali was wounded during the encounter as security personnel attempted to apprehend him in Mukalmua. He was subsequently brought to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The second accused, Ashik Ali, remains at large, and police said the investigation is continuing.
Political Response and Public Outrage
Nalbari MLA and former minister Jayanta Malla Baruah expressed concern over the incident, calling it a shock to people across the state and commending the police for swift action. He offered condolences to the family of Madhurjya Barman and wished a speedy recovery for the injured survivor. The attack has triggered widespread outrage in Assam, with several local organisations and residents staging protests.
Motive Under Investigation, 'Love Jihad' Claim Contested
Some community groups and organisations have alleged that the assault stemmed from the rejection of a proposal by one of the accused, with certain groups labelling it a case of 'love jihad.' However, police officials have not officially confirmed any such angle and stated that the investigation to establish the exact sequence of events and determine the motive is still in progress. Authorities have urged restraint pending the outcome of the probe.
What Happens Next
With Roz Ali dead and Ashik Ali still being sought, police are expected to file a chargesheet once the investigation concludes. The condition of Mridumudra Deka, who remains in the ICU at GMCH, will be closely watched. The case has drawn attention to the safety of young women in rural Assam, and pressure on law enforcement to deliver a full account of events is mounting.
Point of View
And each one tests the credibility of the subsequent investigation. The 'love jihad' framing, amplified by community groups before police have established any motive, risks prejudging an inquiry that is still open. What is not in dispute is the death of a 19-year-old student and the critical condition of her companion — facts that demand a thorough, transparent chargesheet, not a narrative contest.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Roz Ali and what was he accused of?
Roz Ali was the prime accused in the fatal attack on two young women in Gangapur, Nalbari district, Assam, on the night of 31 May. He and a second accused, Ashik Ali, allegedly attacked Madhurjya Barman and Mridumudra Deka while the two were travelling on a scooter.
How did Roz Ali die?
Roz Ali sustained injuries during a police encounter in the Mukalmua area on Monday, 2 June, while allegedly attempting to flee arrest. He was brought to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
What is the condition of the injured survivor?
Mridumudra Deka, 18, who suffered grievous injuries in the attack, remains admitted in the intensive care unit at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital as of the latest reports.
Has the motive for the attack been confirmed?
No. Police officials have stated that the investigation is still in progress to establish the exact sequence of events and the motive. Some community groups have alleged a 'love jihad' angle, but this has not been officially confirmed by law enforcement.
Who was Madhurjya Barman?
Madhurjya Barman was a 19-year-old resident of Balipathar in Chamata, Nalbari district, and the Assistant General Secretary of the West Nalbari Regional Students' Union. She died at the scene from severe injuries sustained in the attack.
