Tension grips Assam’s Udalguri district as mob sets gang-rape accused’s house on fire

Five men have been accused of raping a minor in Assam’s Udalguri district. The accused have been arrested and the situation is now under control, the police said.

Paramilitary forces were deployed to bring the situation under control and maintain law and order. (Representational Photo)

Tension gripped Assam’s Udalguri district on Monday as a mob enraged over the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl set the house of one of the accused on fire. Paramilitary forces were deployed to bring the situation under control and maintain law and order.

According to local sources, on Saturday, the minor was returning from her tuition classes when five men picked her up on the pretext of giving her a lift home. The men then allegedly took her to a brick kiln and gang-raped her.

Following instructions from G P Singh, Assam Director General Police, accused Mustaq Ahmed, Mohidul Islam, Hafijul Ali, Saddam Ali and Ehsan Ahmed were arrested from Mazbat, Dhekiajuli and Dalgaon areas of the district. The accused were charged under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

Pushkin Jain, Udalguri Superintendent of Police, told the media that a few residents and organisations had staged a protest but the situation was immediately brought under control. He also appealed to people not to take the law into their own hands and assured them that a proper investigation would be done in the case.