Four people have been detained after a 15 year old girl was found dead at her home near National Highway 6 in Assam’s Hailakandi district on Saturday night. Police have registered a case of rape and murder, though they have not shared many details publicly.
What police are saying
Senior superintendent of police (SSP), Hailakandi, Amitab Sinha said the four detained persons are currently being questioned. He added that the rape allegation has not yet been confirmed medically.
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“The family members are claiming it [rape], but we are waiting for the post-mortem report to draw any conclusions. We are investigating the matter thoroughly, and four persons are currently being questioned,” Sinha said.
How the incident unfolded
The incident happened in the Aloichora area under Katlichera police station around 11 pm on Saturday. At the time, the victim’s family was attending a feast at a relative’s house nearby.
The SSP explained that this is a close knit neighbourhood where many members of the same extended family live together, so her relatives were not far away when the attack took place.
Police said they got information about the incident around 12.30 am and recovered the body on Sunday morning, after family members and neighbours protested and initially refused to let police take the body away.
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The family’s account
The victim’s sister gave a disturbing account of what she believes happened, saying the attackers used utensils and other objects to mutilate the body after assaulting her.
“Her face was smashed, her head was bludgeoned with a heavy object, and some rod like object was inserted into her private parts,” she said. She went on to demand the harshest possible punishment for those responsible.
“They are not humans, even calling them animals would be wrong. They don’t deserve to live. I appeal to the police to shoot them, or they should be hanged,” she said.
Protests and public anger
Angry locals in Aloichora blocked NH 6 on Sunday morning to protest the alleged rape and murder. One protester questioned the safety of women and girls in their own homes.
“If a 15-16-year-old girl is not safe in her own house, what kind of society have we become? There must be exemplary punishment so that nobody dares repeat such heinous acts,” the protester said.
How the situation was resolved
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Local MLA Milon Das stepped in and helped police move the body to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for a post-mortem. He met the grieving family and assured them the culprits would be arrested without delay.
Additional superintendent of police (Crime), Hailakandi, Shamirdapar Baruah confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
“The body has been sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for a post-mortem, and we are investigating the matter further,” Baruah said.
FAQs
Where exactly did the incident take place?
It happened in Aloichora, under Katlichera police station, around 11 pm on Saturday.
Has the rape been confirmed?
Not yet. Police say the family is alleging rape, but they are waiting for the post-mortem report before drawing conclusions.