Assam Youth Vanishes After In Flight Altercation Family in Distress

SILCHAR — A young man from Assam’s Cachar district has gone missing under mysterious circumstances after reportedly being slapped by a co-passenger aboard a Mumbai-Kolkata flight — an incident that has triggered outrage and concern across social media platforms.

The youth, identified as Hossain, was employed at a gym in Mumbai and was on his way home to Katigorah when the incident unfolded mid-air earlier this week. A viral video shot by a fellow passenger appears to show Hossain visibly distressed, possibly experiencing a panic attack, when a co-passenger suddenly slapped him. The shocking act prompted immediate protests from other travelers and even airline crew members, who attempted to de-escalate the situation.

“He was not being violent or aggressive. He looked scared, possibly having a panic episode. The slap was completely uncalled for,” said one passenger who witnessed the scene and later posted about it online.

After the flight landed in Kolkata, Hossain was scheduled to board a connecting flight to Silchar. However, he never arrived. His family, who had been waiting for him at the Silchar airport, grew alarmed when he failed to show up. Repeated attempts to reach him by phone went unanswered — with sources now suggesting his phone may have been left behind in Mumbai.

His elder brother, Shahabuddin Hossain, spoke to local reporters through tears. “We don’t know where he is. He hasn’t contacted anyone, and there’s no update from the authorities. How can someone just vanish like this after being assaulted in public?”

The family has since filed a missing person complaint, and authorities in both Kolkata and Mumbai have been alerted. Police officials are reviewing airport surveillance footage and are said to be coordinating with airline staff for additional details.

Meanwhile, human rights activists and mental health advocates have slammed the handling of the situation, demanding accountability from both the airline and law enforcement. “This was not just a case of assault — this is a mental health crisis that was mishandled, and now a young man is missing,” said a statement from a Mumbai-based civil society group.

As online calls for justice grow louder, the mystery surrounding Hossain’s disappearance remains unresolved — with a family still clinging to hope, and a nation asking difficult questions.