Guwahati, July 8: Finally, Niksamseng Marak’s sister Jagamchi Ch Marak has found the strength to forgive the alleged murderers of her brother. Jagamchi testified her Christian faith by forgiving her brother’s murderers and praying that nobody should be victim of such incident.

Niksamseng Ch Marak, who hailed from Tura’s Araimail and worked as power pump assistant (contract basis) in irrigation department Mendipathar of North Garo Hills, Meghalaya, was allegedly murdered at a rehab centre in Goalpara on July 4, 2024, where he was detained since July 2.

Jagamchi Ch Marak, who arrived at Goalpara police station on Sunday, told media: “My brother was tortured to death. Everything is in CCTV footage. We got to know today that seven of the people who are involved in my brother’s murder are arrested and two are still absconding. One is in hospital because he was also injured in the incident.”

“We are grateful to OC of Goalpara police station, DC of Goalpara and DC of West Garo Hills for taking up the case seriously. We also appeal to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for taking up the case and so that the murderer will get maximum punishment,” Jagamchi said.

“We already forgave them even as they murdered my brother. We are Christians and we testifying our faith publicly,” Jagamchi also said.

“We forgave them because the Bible teaches us to love our enemy. We forgave the murderers of our brother because we are Christians,” she also said.

“But at the same time, we want their punishment as we want nobody should go the same situation. We hope and pray that they will be arrested and they will not be let free,” she added.

Prime accused
According to police investigation, Niksamseng was allegedly killed by the care taker of New Life Foundation (a rehab centre) along with several inmates on the suspicion that he planned to flee from the centre.

“It was revealed in the preliminary investigation that they killed him on suspicion that the victim had a plan to flee from the rehab centre,” Goalpara Police led by officer-in-charge Inspector Debajit Das said.

7 accused arrested
Meanwhile, based on a complaint lodged by Achik State People’s Front (ASPF) and Garo Jatiya Parishad (GJP), police have registered a case bearing number 88/24 under section 103(1)/ 238-3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and arrested seven persons in this connection.

The care taker of the rehab, Jintu Chakravorty (24), son of Abinash Chakravorty, Paikan under Krishnai police station in Goalpara, has been charged as the prime suspect and has been remanded to police custody for further investigation.

The other accused are: Prasenjit Nath (23) son of Manik Nath, Bapuji Nagar, Goalpara; Hanif Ali (28), son of Late Hamed ali, Kismatpur, Goalpara; Dhanmaina Banikya (38), son of Durlav Banikya, Durga Mandir, Ananda Nagar, Goalpara; Mohsen Khan, son of Mehmud Khan, Bapuji Nagar, Goalpara and Kunal Das (23), son of Achyut Das, Boro Bazar, Goalpara.

A minor boy was also arrested in connection with the case and he has been shifted to a juvenile centre in Goalpara.

Moreover, one person, who was also injured, was undergoing treatment in Goalpara Civil Hospital. He will be arrested soon. Two other accused are reportedly absconding.

The unfolding of events

Narrating the incident GJP working president Raksim Derek said: “On July 2, Niksamseng Marak travelled to Goalpara to purchase medication prescribed by his doctor. Upon his return, he was detained by Krishnai Police for reasons unknown.”

“Before his family arrived, the police called the Rehab Centre and sent him to the New Life Foundation Rehab Centre in Goalpara without the family’s consent. When the family confronted the officer-in-charge of Krishnai Police Station, they were unable to provide a valid reason for the victim’s detention,” Derek said.

“On July 3, when family members visited the Rehab Centre, they were not allowed to meet with him; only his 4-year-old son was permitted to meet him. On the evening of July 4, family members received a call from the Rehab Centre that Niksamseng had died by hanging himself and for the second they informed them he died by banging his forehead on the toilet wall,” Derek said.

“Before post-mortem, family members checked his body and found deep cuts on his cheeks marks of rot sticks and bruises all over his body,” Derek added.

It has been claimed that the manager and the owner of the rehab centre don’t have proper documents, like the Rehabilitation Council of India license to run it, nor do they have any psychiatric or psychological degree holders to handle such inmates.