Senior journalist Rafiqul Rahman dies at 53

NAZIRA, September 9, 2026 — Senior journalist Rafiqul Rahman, popularly known as “Bhaiti” Rahman, died at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh. He was 53.

A resident of Simaluguri, Rahman had been active in journalism for nearly three decades. He served as vice-president of the Nazira Press Club and the Nazira Freelance Journalists’ Association and was an adviser to the Nazira Sangabadik Mancha.

Rahman had worked as a senior journalist with Dainik Janambhumi and was recently serving as the Simaluguri correspondent of Dainik Asam. He was also the proprietor of Jyoti Cinema Hall in Simaluguri.

He fell seriously ill on September 6 while returning home on his motorcycle after attending an educational programme with his daughter. He reportedly collapsed near Balighat Tiniali after suffering a sudden bout of high blood pressure.

He was initially taken to Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia Nazira Sub-Divisional Civil Hospital and later admitted to Chaolung Sukapha Hospital in Demow before being shifted to AMCH. Doctors treated him for brain haemorrhage, but he succumbed on Tuesday.

His death triggered widespread grief in Nazira and Simaluguri. Several journalist bodies, students’ organisations, civic groups and public figures, including Nazira MLA Mayur Borgohain and former MLA Debabrata Saikia, paid their last respects.

Rahman is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, siblings and other relatives. His death marks the loss of a journalist who devoted nearly 30 years to reporting from Nazira and Simaluguri.