GUWAHATI: A joint search operation by the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is underway in the Demow River in Assam’s Sivasagar district to locate Beena Konwar, a woman reported missing since March 14.
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The operation follows the confession of her husband, Basanta alias Moon Dihingia, who was apprehended for allegedly strangling his wife to death with a cloth before disposing of her body in the river. Beena Konwar, a mother of two and a resident of Konwar Dihingia village, had been missing for nearly a week before her husband’s arrest shed light on the case.
The incident has sparked public outrage, leading to a massive protest in Demow. On Wednesday, demonstrators blocked National Highway 37 at Demow Chariali for nearly five hours, demanding immediate action from authorities. The protest was triggered by the perceived inaction of the police in locating Beena Konwar.
Initially, protesters gheraoed the Demow police station before shifting their agitation to the national highway, causing a complete halt in traffic on the crucial Upper and Lower Assam route from noon until 5 PM. After negotiations with officials, the protesters agreed to temporarily lift the blockade, but they issued a strict deadline of 9 PM. They also warned that failure to meet the deadline would result in further intensified protests.
Talking to GPlus, a police official from Demow said, “We are actively searching for her and are looking for any traces which may lead to her whereabouts.”
Further details are awaited.
