Guwahati, Aug 18 (IANS) Protests were held in Assam’s Chirang district on Tuesday over the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old tribal girl, with several organisations demanding the harshest possible punishment for those arrested in the case, officials said.

The three-hour demonstration was organised at Kajalgaon locality in the Chirang district following a joint call by the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) and the Tribal Sangha.

Students, members of various organisations and local residents participated in the protest and urged the state government to take stringent action against the accused.

The protest coincided with the police shooting and injuring of the alleged main accused, identified as Nasir-ul-Hussain, during a crime spot visit.

According to Chirang Superintendent of Police Dhruva Bora, Hussain was taken by the Investigating Officer to the place where the alleged offence had begun as part of the investigation.

Police alleged that Hussain attacked the personnel accompanying him and attempted to flee.

The Investigating Officer subsequently fired at him, injuring him. He was apprehended and taken to a hospital for treatment.

The alleged sexual assault came to light after a video purportedly showing the incident was circulated on social media.

Police said the incident had allegedly taken place on July 24.

The victim’s mother approached the Runikhata Police Station on August 15 after learning about the video and lodged a complaint.

Police said two suspects were arrested within two hours of receiving the complaint, while the third accused was apprehended later the same day.

Investigators said the victim had allegedly been contacted through social media by one of the accused and asked to meet him before being taken to another location, where the three accused allegedly assaulted her.

The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology Act.

Police have seized the accused persons’ mobile phones as part of the investigation into the alleged recording and circulation of the video.

The victim’s statement has also been recorded and her medical examination conducted.

Protesters thanked the district administration and police for the prompt arrests and demanded swift completion of the investigation and strict legal action.

–IANS

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