‘Ma, they punched me’: Student’s last call to family; how horror unfolded at homestay

Both Nimisha and Ashiq were staying in the homestay together in Dharapur during the time of the incident.

GUWAHATI: “Ma, they have beaten me. They punched me in the chest and assaulted me. I am injured," these were the words 22-year-old Gauhati University student Nimisha Thakuria allegedly told her mother over the phone around 2 am on Saturday, according to her father Deep Thakuria.The family could not reach her after the call and later learnt that she had been found in a critical condition at a homestay on the outskirts of Guwahati.Nimisha was taken to Garal Primary Health Centre and later referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.Police have detained her alleged companion, 26-year-old Ashiq Ali, and are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Family was told she would stay at hostel

Deep Thakuria said Nimisha left home around 5 pm on Friday and told her mother she might spend the night at Gauhati University hostel with friends.“She had told her mother that she would stay at Gauhati University hostel with her friends,” he said.Around 10 pm, Nimisha again told her mother that she would spend the night there.But around 2 am, she called her mother unexpectedly.“After that, we could no longer reach her. We kept calling her repeatedly, but there was no response,” Thakuria said.

He said the family eventually contacted Azara police station, where an officer tried to trace Nimisha's phone location.

Family rushed to health centre

Thakuria said he and his family went to Azara police station and informed the second officer-in-charge about the situation.Around half an hour later, police told the family that a girl had been found at Garal Primary Health Centre and asked them to verify whether she was Nimisha.He said police told them that if the woman was Nimisha, she would be taken immediately to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

'She did not mention homestay'

Thakuria said Nimisha had not told the family that she planned to stay at a homestay with Ashiq Ali.Instead, he said, she had told them she would be staying at the university hostel with friends. “She took Rs 2,000 just two days back, saying she would go out to eat with her friends and stay overnight at a friend's hostel,” he said.Police said Nimisha and Ashiq had been staying at a homestay in the Dharapur-Garal area. They are examining their movements and the events leading up to Nimisha being found unconscious.

Police examine Ashiq's account

Ashiq told police that Nimisha had hanged herself and died by suicide.Deputy commissioner of police (west) Balin Deuri said investigators would establish whether that account was true.“Whether it is true or a lie, would come out during the investigation,” Deuri said.The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and police are awaiting the report. CID and forensic teams have also examined the homestay room and collected evidence.

Homestay verification under scanner

Police said Nimisha and Ashiq had visited the homestay five times this month and were allowed to stay without proper verification.The homestay had also not collected mandatory identification documents from the two, police said. Its owner has been questioned and action will be initiated under the law.A staff member, Bipul Bailung, said Nimisha and Ashiq were staying in room number 10 and had ordered food around 9.30 pm.He claimed staff later heard shouts for help and crying in a male voice around 2.30-3 am.“Three of us went to their room and found the girl lying on the floor, with the boy holding her in his hands and crying,” Bailung said.

Residents demand investigation

After news of Nimisha's death spread, local residents blocked a road leading towards the nearby airport and staged a protest demanding a thorough investigation.Some protesters alleged that the incident was linked to what they described as “love jihad”.“We demand a proper investigation and justice so that no one involved in the incident is allowed to escape accountability. Those responsible should be identified and brought to justice,” a protester said.Nimisha's last rites were performed on Saturday evening after her body was handed over to her family following the post-mortem.