Agartala, June 30: Police have arrested two youths in connection with the death of Ramjan Ali, whose body was recovered from the Howrah River on June 28, marking the first major breakthrough in a case that has sparked widespread concern and outrage in the locality.
The arrests were made during a joint operation conducted by personnel of West Agartala Police Station and Battala Police Outpost. The accused are scheduled to be produced before a local court on Tuesday, where police are expected to seek their custody for further interrogation.
Confirming the development, Officer-in-Charge of West Agartala Police Station, Rana Chatterjee, said investigators have been relying on scientific methods and forensic evidence while examining all possible angles of the case.
“We have arrested two persons in connection with the investigation. They will be produced before the court today. The probe is progressing, and further details may emerge as the investigation continues,” Chatterjee said.
The case came to light on the morning of June 28 after residents and morning walkers noticed bloodstains near the newly developed riverside park at Gangail, close to the Howrah River. The discovery immediately raised suspicions that a violent incident had taken place and that a body had been disposed of in the river.
Acting on the information, a joint search operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Civil Defence volunteers and Fire and Emergency Services personnel was launched. After an extensive search, the body of Ramjan Ali, popularly known as Titon, was recovered from the river.
Preliminary findings revealed multiple deep injury marks on the victim’s body, strengthening suspicions that he was murdered before being dumped into the river. Since the recovery of the body, family members have consistently alleged foul play and demanded a comprehensive investigation.
The victim’s relatives claimed that Ramjan Ali was last seen around 9 p.m. on the night before his body was found and pointed to bloodstains at the spot where they believe he was attacked. They have urged police to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
Police said forensic experts are assisting the investigation and that all available evidence, including scientific and technical inputs, is being examined. Authorities have assured that every lead will be thoroughly investigated as efforts continue to uncover the motive behind the killing and identify any additional suspects involved in the crime.
