A former school teacher and cultural activist was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a pond near his home in Assam’s Bongaigaon district on Monday night, July 20.
The deceased was identified as Nilmoni Roy, a former teacher at Abhayapuri Sankardev Shishu Niketan. He was also known locally as a Bihu artiste and accomplished pepa player.
According to local residents, a motorcycle was spotted parked by the roadside at Pahartali in Abhayapuri at around 10.30 pm. After becoming suspicious, passersby searched the surrounding area and noticed a helmet floating in a nearby pond.
A team from Abhayapuri Police Station subsequently reached the spot and recovered Roy’s body from the water. He was reportedly still wearing his helmet when the body was pulled out.
Family members said Roy had gone to the market and was returning to his home at Pahartali Khudra Narikola, located around 500 metres from the spot where he was found. Grocery items purchased from the market were found in a bag attached to his motorcycle.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. Investigators are examining how Roy ended up in the pond, which is located on the opposite side of the road from where his motorcycle was found.
Police have launched an investigation to determine whether the death was caused by an accident or involved foul play. Further investigation is underway.
