The mystery surrounding the deaths of two schoolgirls in Kokrajhar has taken a significant turn after district police stated that preliminary investigations suggest the students died due to drowning in a pond. The incident, which had triggered widespread tension and speculation across the district, involved two students of Dholmara Higher Secondary School whose bodies were recovered from a pond in Lalkura Second Block village under Dholmara on May 21.
The deceased students were identified as Anamika Bara and Sarita Lakra. Following the recovery of their bodies from a tea garden pond, Kokrajhar Police launched an extensive investigation with assistance from local residents and family members. Addressing a press conference at the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kokrajhar, senior police officials stated that investigators found no visible injury marks or signs of assault on the bodies during the preliminary post-mortem examination.
According to the police, the two girls had reportedly gone near the pond on bicycles. During the investigation, police recovered two bicycles, school bags, and sandals belonging to the students from the roadside near the pond where the bodies were discovered. Officials said these findings indicate that the students had reached the location voluntarily before the tragic incident occurred. Senior Superintendent of Police Akshat Garg informed reporters that preliminary forensic and medical reports did not find any suspicious injuries, wounds, or external marks on the bodies. Police also stated that no signs of physical assault or injuries were found on the private parts of the deceased students.
The preliminary post-mortem findings reportedly suggest that the deaths occurred due to drowning after the girls entered the pond. However, officials clarified that the final post-mortem report is still awaited and the investigation remains open until all forensic examinations are completed. Based on an FIR lodged by the families of the deceased students at Kokrajhar Sadar Police Station, police registered a case under Sections 106(1) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Meanwhile, acting on allegations raised during the investigation, police arrested two persons identified as Golam Mustafa (66) and Ejahan Ali (42), both residents of Devduba village. They have already been sent to judicial custody.
Police sources revealed that suspicion arose against the two accused after reports emerged that they had allegedly engaged in arguments and suspicious behaviour before the bodies were recovered from the pond. Investigators are continuing to examine all possible angles linked to the incident. The tragic deaths have deeply shocked the region, prompting political leaders and local representatives to visit the bereaved families. Baokhungri MLA Rupam Chandra Roy and Makum MLA Sanjay Kishan visited the homes of the deceased students and expressed condolences to the grieving families. The legislators assured that if anyone is found directly or indirectly involved in the incident, strict legal action would be taken, and no guilty person would be spared. They also informed that fencing work around the pond has already begun to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident has sparked widespread concern regarding student safety, monitoring of vulnerable locations, and the need for stronger preventive measures around water bodies near educational institutions. Residents continue to demand a transparent investigation as the district awaits the final forensic report.