Guwahati, July 9: A taxi driver was allegedly beaten to death following an altercation near the Kamakhya Temple area in Guwahati, prompting police to arrest the main accused and launch an investigation into the motive behind the attack.

The victim, Rupam Das, a resident of the Kamakhya locality, was allegedly assaulted with bamboo sticks near the Kamakhya cremation ground on Wednesday.

According to local residents, Das was resting near a hotel in the area when the accused, identified as Rahul Pathak, allegedly attacked him with a bamboo pole. Das sustained grievous injuries and died before he could be taken to hospital.
Police have arrested Pathak, who is originally from Barpeta and currently resides in the Kamakhya area.

“We suspect the two had an altercation, possibly in the heat of the moment. They may also have been under the influence of alcohol. The victim was assaulted with sticks and rods,” a police official said.
The official said the exact motive behind the killing is yet to be established and the accused is being interrogated.

A forensic team visited the crime scene and collected evidence as part of the investigation.

The incident has shocked residents of the Kamakhya locality, home to the Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most revered Shakti Peethas.

Local residents described Das as a well-known taxi driver and said they were unaware of any prior enmity between him and the accused.

Police are investigating all possible angles, including whether the assault stemmed from a personal dispute.