Silchar: A 55-year-old man, allegedly assaulted over a land dispute, was found dead in the Barak river on Friday, a day after he went missing.In a fresh twist to the case, family members alleged in the FIR that Afaz Uddin Mazumdar of Niyargram was assaulted and thrown into the river. However, preliminary investigation on Thursday suggested that he jumped into the river to escape the alleged attackers.The body was recovered near the Gangapur-Nagatila ferry ghat in Cachar district around 1.15 pm, close to where he was allegedly pushed into the river. Police sent the body to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy.According to the FIR lodged, he was attacked by nine to 10 people near the ferry ghat under Silchar Sadar police station. The family alleged that he ran towards a ferry, but the assailants — armed with sharp weapons and sticks — boarded the vessel, hit him and threw him into the river. Witnesses reportedly saw him trying to swim to safety before disappearing.The family alleged that Mazumdar was involved in a land dispute with neighbours Abdul Sukkur Mazumdar, his sons Mitu and Ritu, and their relative Sahil Laskar. They claimed the dispute led to intimidation, assaults and property damage, including an attack on their house, damage to boundary structures, vandalism of a boat and disruption of their drinking water supply.A relative said Mazumdar left his village fearing for his life after threats. The family claimed it filed a police complaint on July 31. They alleged that Mazumdar’s son was also assaulted days before the incident.Relatives have demanded action. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy.
