Dimapur/ Guwahati, April 19: The Atif Mustafiz Ali death case has assumed a new dimension with the discovery that the promoter of a Russian circus, which toured the country recently, had committed suicide in the house of an NSCN (I-M) leader here.

Atif reportedly stabbed himself several times with a spear at the Padampukhuri house of NSCN (I-M) tatar (member of parliament) H. Sema on April 13. He succumbed to his injuries at a hospital the next day.

The Naga outfit has pleaded ignorance about the issue. Sema could not be contacted.

Police sources said it is not known if Sema provided Atif with shelter because he was on the run since the fire at the circus killed 18 animals ? four sea lions, seven snow dogs, seven cats ? or took him in as a tenant without verifying his credentials.

Atif was in the company of one Bani Prakash Das when he reportedly committed suicide. Police released Das after interrogation.

Two associates of Atif, Deka Debang Kumar and Newa Prasad Yadav, who are directors in the same event management firm, are also absconding since the fire.

When contacted at their residence in Guwahati, Yadav?s wife Tanuja Baishya said she had no information about her husband?s whereabouts. ?His cell number is not in service. I am very worried about him. I am also shocked over Atif?s death,? she said.

Sources said Atif could have chosen the NSCN (I-M) functionary?s house, thinking that ?he would enjoy automatic protection since he was a resident of a house belonging to a heavyweight from a militant outfit?.

Police are tightlipped about the investigation, but maintain that it is a case of suicide. Atif?s family is convinced that it is murder.

Sources said it was difficult to believe that a person could stab himself thrice. ?The pain would be excruciating. How can someone go on stabbing himself?? one of them wondered.

Another suspicious aspect is the fact that Atif was taken to Faith Hospital though the civil hospital is closer to Padampukhuri. A police officer, however, claimed that had it been murder, the culprits would have had disposed of the body.

The doctors who conducted the autopsy found three wounds in the stomach, which stretched deep into the intestines. ?We have submitted our report and it is upto the police to say whether it is suicide or homicide,? said a doctor.

?We do not see any reason for murder. Mumbai police have informed us that there is a non-bailable offence registered against the three persons,? said Dimapur SP Janardhan Singh.

Mumbai police have registered a case under Section 336 IPC for fire caused by negligence. Dispur has also taken note of the developments and asked Mumbai police to furnish more details about the case as all promoters are from Assam.