Guwahati, Sep 29 — Assam Police investigating the death of Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria at a homestay in Guwahati have launched a search for Rupam Saikia, who was reportedly present with Thakuria and the prime accused, Ashik Ali, on the night of the incident, officials said on Tuesday.
According to police, Saikia, a resident of Baihata Chariali, had consumed alcohol with Thakuria and Ali at the homestay. Police are examining his movements and whereabouts to establish the sequence of events leading to Thakuria’s death.
Saikia returned home at around 10 p.m. on the night of the incident. He later travelled to Mirza after receiving information about the death of a family member and returned home the following morning. He reportedly remained at his residence during the day but left on his motorcycle for Adabari in the evening. His family lost contact with him, and his mother lodged a missing person complaint at Jalukbari Police Station.
Police traced the last known location of Saikia’s mobile phone to a field behind a company in the Rampur area. The phone has remained switched off since then. Investigators are probing whether his disappearance is connected to the circumstances surrounding Thakuria’s death.
Meanwhile, police have taken another person, identified as Nitu Ali, into custody for questioning. Nitu, also a resident of Baihata Chariali, allegedly supplied alcohol to Ali and Thakuria at the homestay.
The main accused, Ashik Ali, has been remanded to eight days of police custody. Investigators are examining the activities of those present at the homestay, the events leading up to Thakuria becoming unconscious, and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Thakuria was found unconscious at a homestay in Garal locality in Guwahati and later declared dead at a hospital. Police said she and Ali had visited the property several times earlier.
The investigation took a new turn after Saikia went missing. His family lodged a complaint after he left home and could not be contacted. Police are tracing his last known mobile location and movements as they continue the probe.