Tension grips Bihubar after youth social worker’s killing

NAZIRA, September 21, 2026 — Tension continues to prevail in Bihubar along the Assam-Nagaland border, where thousands of residents took to the streets on Sunday demanding an end to the alleged rampant drug trade and illegal liquor business in the area.

The protest followed the killing of youth social worker Biman Barua, president of the Bihubar-Rangajan Youth Society, on September 18.

According to allegations by local residents, Barua was allegedly lured to a location on the Rangajan road, around 200 metres from Bihubar Police Station, at about 10.30 pm on September 18. He was allegedly attacked with a machete by Rabindra Singh alias Vicky Singh and Rubul Khan, resulting in his death.

The incident has triggered widespread anger and tension in Bihubar. Following the incident, Vicky Singh allegedly fled to Nagaland. Local residents said Nagaland-based youth social worker Lyuang Kanyak played a role in tracing him before he was handed over to the Nagaland Police.

Bihubar Police have registered a case, No. 11/26, under Section 103(1)(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and are investigating the matter. Police have reportedly detained Vicky Singh, Rubul Khan, Vicky’s mother Labanya Singh, sister Anita Kar and wife Panglang Kaur for questioning. According to the report, they were taken into custody at Sivasagar Police Station.

The last rites of Biman Barua were performed on Monday, a day before the protest.

From Monday morning, thousands of residents blocked the Bihubar road and staged an intense protest, demanding that the area be made completely free of drugs and illegal liquor.

The protesters demanded stringent legal action against all those accused in Barua’s killing. They also demanded the demolition of the residence of alleged drug kingpin Vicky Singh and strict action against the other accused.

Some protesters also demanded that Vicky Singh be killed in an encounter. Such demands are outside the established judicial process, and any punishment in the case must follow due process of law.

Several speakers, including Lyuang Kanyak of Nagaland, Minu Saukadhara, Manju Bora and Bhaskar Chetia, addressed the gathering.

The protesters warned that if the administration failed to act on their demands within 24 hours, they would take matters into their own hands. They said the administration would be responsible for any consequences arising from such action.

The situation in Bihubar remains tense following the killing, while residents continue to demand decisive action against the alleged drug trade and stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.