Guwahati, July 12: Police today arrested Rajib Sarma, 34, from Bamunimaidam here in connection with the murder of Assam Tourism Development Corporation chairman Jayanta Malla Baruah's cousin Manash in Nalbari on Saturday.

Manash and four of his friends were travelling from Tihu in Nalbari district, about 27km east from the district headquarters, in a car.

The 35-year-old Manash allegedly got involved in a scuffle with Rajib and his relative Apurba , 36, who were coming from the opposite direction in another vehicle near Kathalmura, about 5km from Tihu.

Following the scuffle, Apurba allegedly stabbed Manash with a knife, which he had in his car, and fled. Rajib too fled the scene.

Manash's friends rushed him to GNRC Hospitals here, about 105km from Kathalmura, where he died of his injuries on Sunday.

"We had inputs that Rajib was holed up in one of his relatives place in Bamunimaidam. So, with the help of Guwahati police we raided that place and arrested Rajib . Based on his statement and Manash's friends who were present at the crime scene, it was Apurba who attacked Manash," a Nalbari police official told The Telegraph.

Rajib was taken to Nalbari this morning where he will be produced at the chief judicial magistrate's court tomorrow.

"We will ask for police custody," the official said.

Apurba is absconding.

Assam DGP Mukesh Sahay, in the meantime, today visited Manash's house in Tihu where he assured his family that the culprit would be caught soon.

"We will catch Apurba soon. The police stations in all the districts will be upgraded in such a way so that there is a better co-ordination between the police stations that will ensure that no culprit can commit a crime and take shelter in other districts," Sahay said.

Jayanta, a former Nalbari legislator, who was also present at his ancestral house in Tihu, was grief stricken.

"What happened to my brother is very unfortunate. But, we must make sure that such things do not happen again," Jayanta said.