14-year-old girl gang-raped in Assam; accused jumps into pond and dies

Assam Gang Rape: Suspect Tafazul Islam Taken to Crime Scene for Investigation

A disturbing case of gang rape involving a 14-year-old girl in Assam has triggered widespread protests and intense public outrage in yet another part of India. The incident, which occurred in Nagaon’s Dhing area, has led to a surge in demands for justice and stringent action against the accused.

The harrowing event unfolded on Thursday evening as the young victim, a student returning from tuition, was allegedly attacked by three men on a motorcycle. According to reports, three men surrounded her, assaulted her, and then left her injured and unconscious by a roadside pond.

Local residents discovered her and promptly alerted the authorities. She was initially treated at a local health center before being transferred to a hospital in Nagaon for further medical care and examination.

"After she was admitted, the sexual offences investigation team conducted all the formalities and the girl was treated by a team of doctors. The necessary tests were conducted and as per the law, some of the reports were handed over to the police," the doctor said.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has condemned the crime and said that "the horrific incident at Dhing, involving a minor, is a crime against humanity and has struck our collective conscience."

He has directed both the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Water Resources Minister to oversee the response and ensure the harshest legal actions are taken. Sarma also criticized the broader political environment, suggesting that recent political shifts may have emboldened such criminal activities.

The police have filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, with one suspect already arrested and another detained.

One of the three accused in the gang rape, however, died early Saturday after he allegedly jumped into a pond while in police custody. The incident occurred when a police team took him for a scene re-creation. Despite being handcuffed, the suspect managed to leap into the water, leading to his death.

The investigation has seen immediate action, with the DGP, G.P. Singh, visiting the crime scene and the survivor’s family. The DGP has also called for increased security measures, including enhanced patrolling around educational institutions and the use of geo-tagging in sensitive areas to prevent future incidents.

Protests erupted across Nagaon and neighbouring districts, with residents and activists demanding justice and improved safety measures. Shopkeepers closed their businesses in solidarity, and political figures including Congress MLA Sibamoni Bora.

In recent weeks, two tragic incidents have ignited widespread protests across India. In Kolkata, the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, 2024, has spurred demands for justice amid city-wide outrage.

Concurrently, in Badlapur, Maharashtra, a school attendant is accused of assaulting two kindergarten girls in a school toilet, prompting the suspension of the school’s principal, a teacher, and a staff member. Additionally, three police officials, including a senior inspector, were suspended for mishandling the investigation into the abuse.