A wave of grief and outrage has swept through Liberia following reports that a young Liberian scholar was allegedly murdered in India under circumstances that have sparked urgent calls for justice and diplomatic intervention.
Sam Paor Juday, a 29-year-old Liberian national pursuing graduate studies in India, has reportedly died after being brutally attacked and thrown from a building. Multiple Liberian students studying in India have confirmed his death, stating that the incident occurred during a violent confrontation at a residential facility where Sam was staying.
Allegations Surrounding the Incident
According to multiple eyewitness accounts shared by fellow students, the incident reportedly began after a young woman accused Sam of touching her inappropriately. Witnesses claim the woman contacted her boyfriend, who later arrived at the scene accompanied by several other men.
Eyewitnesses allege that Sam was severely beaten by the group and subsequently thrown from the fourth floor of a building. He reportedly sustained critical injuries, including a broken jaw and other bodily harm. Sam was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The individuals accused of carrying out the attack are reportedly on the run, and as of the time of this report, no official arrests have been confirmed. Liberian students in India say they are cooperating with local authorities and providing information to assist ongoing investigations.
Who Was Sam Paor Juday
Sam Paor Juday was widely regarded as a committed and high-achieving student with a promising future.
He graduated from Cape Palmas High School in Harper, Maryland County, in 2016. In 2021, he earned his undergraduate degree from William V. S. Tubman University, where he studied Secondary Education with an emphasis in Biology and graduated with a GPA of 3.36.
At the time of his death, Sam was nearing completion of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Kalinga University in India. Friends and classmates describe him as disciplined, focused, and deeply determined to return to Liberia to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Growing Calls for Government Action
Sam’s death has reignited concerns about the safety and protection of Liberian students studying abroad, particularly in India. Activists, students, and members of the Liberian diaspora are urging the Government of Liberia to take immediate action by engaging Indian authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure a transparent investigation and swift justice.
There are also renewed demands for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Liberia’s diplomatic missions to strengthen support systems for Liberian students overseas and to respond more decisively when citizens face threats to their lives and rights.
Liberian activist Martin K. N. Kollie, writing from exile, has described the incident as a wake-up call for the nation, stressing that the killing of a Liberian scholar must not be ignored or downplayed.
As Liberia mourns the loss of Sam Paor Juday, many insist that justice in this case is not only about accountability for one tragic death, but about affirming the value of Liberian lives and ensuring the safety and dignity of Liberians wherever they pursue education and opportunity.
