Octogenarian Assamese film composer Ramen Baruah, who remained untraceable for the fifth day since being reported missing after stepping out of his home in Guwahati on the morning of 22nd July to visit a nearby temple, is presumed to have succumbed to his fate. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had asked Guwahati police commissioner Diganta Barah to deploy all possible resources to trace the 84-year-old music director who was revered as a living legend. According to Sarma, the police commissioner told him that the music director was seen walking towards the Brahmaputra river bank but didn’t return. The river was flowing above the dangerous level that day and given that there was no evidence of his return, he may have succumbed to his fate. Given these findings, the chief minsiter said, there was no need for any further probe.
Ramen Baruah’s daughter, Barnika Baruah, had filed a missing complaint at the Latasil police station when he didn’t return home until the evening of 22nd.
The veteran music composer was seen in CCTV footage walking through a lane near the Guwahati high court, that leads to the Brahmaputra river bank. The city police chief said, “He was last seen approaching the river with a plastic bag in his hand. His last phone tower location was near the high court building.”
Just before leaving for the temple, Ramen Baruah reportedly had a “disagreement” with daughter Barnika over his insistence on going grocery shopping despite the hot weather.
It is believed that Ramen Baruah was going through a lot of personal and family-related stress. He left home willingly. No foul play is suspected.
Baruah has scored music for many Assamese films including Dr. Bezbarua, Mukuta, Lalita and Kokadeuta Nati Aru Hati. He comes from a family of 13 siblings, all of whom had successful careers in films, music, politics, sports and business.