Noted journalist Purbajyoti Chutia found dead in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Renowned senior journalist Purbajyoti Chutia was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Monday morning.

The body of Chutia was recovered from a drain near his house at Namgharpath in the Lakhimi Nagar area under Hatigaon Police Station.

According to the police, Chutia remained missing since Sunday midnight after he went out to switch on the water pump of his house.

It has not yet come to light whether Chutia was murdered or died due to an accident. Meanwhile, along with the police, forensic teams, and sniffer dog squads are inspecting the site.

In this connection, the deceased's wife has registered a case (252/21 u/s 302 IPC) in the Hatigaon PS.

In the initial stage of the investigation, no sign of murder has been found, said the police and added that the post mortem report will clear the cause of death.

The police have also detained a person named Julfikar Rehman based on certain messages that were found on Chutia's phone.

Various organizations have expressed grief over his demise including the Dispur Press Club, Guwahati Press Club, Assam Press Correspondents' Union (APCU), and Journalist Association for Assam.

The Journalists' Association of Assam and the National Union of Journalists India have demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.

"We suspect that it is a pre-planned murder and a high-level inquiry should be initiated," said APCU.

The mortal remains of the deceased journalist was taken to the office of the Assam Sports Journalists Association (ASJA) at Nehru Stadium, where the office bearers and members of the ASJA, Assam Olympic Association, Guwahati Sports Association, Assam Sepak Takraw Association, Chutia Students' Union and others paid their last respect to the departed soul.

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