Dibrugarh: The main accused in businessman and former CRPF jawan Biman Baruah’s murder was injured in police firing during an alleged escape attempt early on Sunday.Police said Biki Singh was taken to Bihubor in Sivasagar district to recover the weapon allegedly used to kill Baruah. Singh allegedly broke through the police cordon and fled despite warnings, prompting officers to fire. He sustained a bullet wound to his right leg and was taken to Sivasagar Civil Hospital.Singh was arrested in Nagaland on Saturday after fleeing Assam, police said. Young residents apprehended him in Naginimora in Mon district and handed him to Nagaland Police, which transferred him to Assam Police.Baruah, a resident of Rongajan Bengali Basti in Bihubor, was hacked to death with machetes on Sept 18. His family accused Singh and an absconding accomplice of the killing.The family alleged that Baruah was killed for opposing drug-related activities and reporting Singh to the police. Singh was earlier arrested twice in drug-smuggling cases and was out on bail, police said.Baruah’s sister said he repeatedly raised concerns about drug abuse and other social problems in the area.Baruah served for about nine years with CRPF’s 172 Battalion and was posted in Chhattisgarh. He took voluntary retirement a couple of years ago to care for his ailing parents and later started a business.“He served the country in the CRPF and later returned home to look after our parents. He was deeply concerned about what was happening in the locality, particularly the drug problem. Biman always spoke up against drugs and other social problems in the area. He was killed as he reported Biki’s drug smuggling activities to the police,” his sister said.
