Tea garden worker found dead in Sribhumi, murder suspected

Silchar: A 58-year-old tea garden worker was found dead at Putni Tea Estate in Sribhumi district on Thursday. Police suspect murder and have launched an investigation.The victim, Bijoy Shuklabaidya, a resident of the estate, is survived by his wife and five children.Residents said passers-by and plantation workers found his blood-soaked body by a roadside stretch of the tea garden early on Thursday, about 400 metres from his home. Witnesses reported multiple deep injuries to his head and hands, pointing to a targeted assault. Police suspect he was attacked late on Wednesday night, and the body was later dumped.The death sparked panic and anger in the tea tribe community and nearby areas, with residents gathering at the spot and demanding arrests.

Police and forensic teams reached the scene. Patharkandi circle officer Aditi Nunisa and Patharkandi police station officer-in-charge Biswajyoti Deuri are supervising the probe.“Forensic evidence has been collected from the crime scene, and we are questioning residents to establish the sequence of events. While the exact cause of death will be clear only after the autopsy report arrives, we are exploring all angles, including personal enmity,” a senior police officer said. Police have detained several people for questioning.