The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Monday, 2 June 2025 sharply condemned a brutal road attack in Nalbari district, Assam, in which 19-year-old Madhurjya Barman was allegedly hacked to death and 18-year-old Mridumudra Deka was left critically injured. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night near Gangapur under Mukalmua police station limits, has triggered widespread outrage across the district and renewed scrutiny of law and order in the state.

What Happened in Nalbari

According to police, the two young women were travelling on a scooter when they were allegedly attacked by Roz Ali and another accused, Ashik Ali. Madhurjya Barman died from the assault, while Mridumudra Deka sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). An intensive search operation was launched across Nalbari district following the incident to trace the accused.

Prime Accused Dies in Police Encounter

The prime accused, Roz Ali, succumbed to injuries sustained during a police encounter in the Mukalmua area on Monday, officials said. He was reportedly attempting to flee to evade arrest when the encounter took place. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the attack, according to police.

AASU Demands Accountability

AASU chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya, speaking to reporters, described the incident as 'extremely tragic and shocking' and accused the state administration of failing ordinary citizens. 'Two girls were returning home when they were attacked on the road. One girl was hacked to death, while another was seriously injured and is now undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital,' he said.

Bhattacharya questioned the government's response directly: 'When ordinary citizens cannot feel safe on the streets, it raises serious questions about public security. Where is the government? Where is the police administration?' He added that 'this has created an unbearable atmosphere' and that people across Nalbari and Assam were 'angry and deeply disturbed' over the murder of a young student.

BJP MLA Raises 'Love Jihad' Angle

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Nalbari, Jayanta Mallabaruah, said on Monday that the state government would take a tough stand against incidents related to 'love jihad', while also noting that police were investigating whether more accused were involved. His remarks added a political dimension to what authorities have so far framed as a criminal case under active investigation.

Broader Context

This incident is the latest in a series of violent crimes against women in Assam that have drawn public anger and opposition criticism. The state government has faced recurring demands for stronger preventive policing, particularly in rural and semi-urban districts. How authorities handle the ongoing investigation — including the fate of the second accused, Ashik Ali, who remains at large — will be closely watched in the coming days.