Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said sub-inspector Nabajit Das was allegedly murdered by drug traffickers in Dima Hasao.Das’s death on Friday was initially treated as a hit-and-run case.“We have credible information that he was, in fact, murdered by the drug peddlers and drug traffickers. But the investigation is on. So once the investigation is concluded, we will be able to tell you the exact details,” Sarma added.Das (38), officer-in-charge of Laisong police outpost, was run over by a car while conducting naka checking with other personnel in Laisong late Friday. The vehicle was later recovered, but its driver and occupants had fled.Investigators suspect Das was deliberately targeted while on duty.Sarma said Assam became a transit route for narcotics smuggled from Myanmar through Manipur or Mizoram and onwards to Bengal. He said Centre and state govt took measures to combat drug trafficking.“The incident of Nabajit Das has once again proved how big the challenge before us is. We have to accept these challenges and cannot leave them unattended. We have to fight a more intense battle,” Sarma said.Police have arrested five people and are probing their alleged links to a drug-trafficking network in Juria, Nagaon.Das’s family demanded the strictest punishment for those responsible and a thorough investigation into the alleged narcotics network.“All I can say is that he was a very sincere and dedicated person. He never neglected his duty. I appeal to the govt and Assam Police DGP to ensure that whoever killed him over drugs is given the strictest punishment,” Das’s wife said.“I also want the CBI to conduct an inquiry. We do not want a situation where they remain in jail for a few days and then get bail. They killed him while he was performing his duty. He left his mother, me and the rest of his family behind and always put his duty first. He said duty always came first,” she added.
