A 14-year-old girl was gang-raped in Nagaon, Assam, on August 22, prompting widespread outrage and fear among the local community. The incident occurred in a remote area surrounded by paddy fields, where the girl was found in a semi-conscious state by locals.
The victim, who lived with her grandparents and aunt, was returning from tuition classes when she was attacked. Her family members were alerted to her disappearance when she failed to return home by 6 pm.
One of the accused, Tafazul Islam, was arrested on Friday but died in police custody while being taken to the crime scene. The other two accused remain at large.
The incident has sparked tensions between the victim’s village and the neighboring village where Islam’s family resides. To prevent further conflict, authorities have deployed a significant number of security personnel to the area.
The incident has also highlighted the ongoing safety concerns faced by women and girls in the region. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has acknowledged the fear and insecurity experienced by indigenous people in certain areas of the state.