Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said all aspects of the death of Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria at a Guwahati homestay would be investigated and those found guilty would face action. Sarma said Thakuria was from his constituency and assured that investigators would examine her statements and social media activity, visit her home and speak to her family.
“I am also saddened by the girl’s death. She is from my constituency. The investigation will proceed by examining all the statements she made on Facebook and elsewhere, visiting her home, making phone calls and speaking to her parents. I will also keep myself informed about the developments,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also spoke about personal safety, family values and traditional customs while referring to the circumstances surrounding the case. He said the deceased was an adult and stressed the need for people to consider their personal safety and conduct.
“I think all of us need to think about how we can keep ourselves safe. The girl was not a minor; she was an adult. Therefore, I think we need to consider how we should conduct ourselves. If we follow the values and traditions that we have, society remains in a better state,” he said.
Sarma further said preserving family values and traditional customs could help reduce conflicts within families. “That is why I always say that we should preserve our parents, family values and the traditional customs and culture that we have. That way, there will be fewer conflicts within families. We will investigate this incident and the guilty will be punished,” he said.
Thakuria, 22, was found unconscious at Rudra’s Kitchen homestay in the Dharapur-Garal area early on Saturday. She was taken to a local health facility and later referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.
Police have detained 26-year-old Ashiq Ali, who was staying with her at the homestay, and are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. Ali’s claim that Thakuria died by suicide has not been established, with police examining all possible angles and awaiting the post-mortem findings.
The homestay was subsequently sealed after a preliminary investigation found alleged lapses in maintaining guest documentation. Police are examining its records and the circumstances in which Thakuria and Ali stayed there.
The death has triggered concern and protests in parts of Guwahati, while the investigation remains underway.
