Assam: Class 5 girl gang-raped, later set on fire
On Friday, in a hideous incident, a Class 5 student in Assam's Nagaon district was set on fire after allegedly being gang-raped. The girl, who suffered 90% burn injuries, passed away in a hospital at night. However, the girl, while being rushed to the hospital, managed to name the three perpetrators. Two have been arrested, and the police are looking for the third.
The police's statement on catching the perpetrators
"We have recorded a dying declaration...Based on that two of the accused have been caught; they will be produced in court today," said Shankar Raimedhi, Superintendent of Police, Nagaon. The accused, being minors, will be booked under the Juvenile Justice Act.
The incident reflects a larger problem in the area
The sickening incident took place at Dhania Bheti in Lalung Gaon of the Nagaon district. The girl, while being rushed to the hospital, had related how the men had poured kerosene on her and set her on fire after raping her. Reportedly, there is currently tension in the area over the incident. Incidentally, the area doesn't have a good record of ensuring women's safety.
Just days ago, some men were arrested on gang-rape charges
Villagers from Dhania Bheti said that the incident isn't a one-off case - safety of women has long been an issue of huge concern in the locality. A lawmaker from the area recently raised the issue in the state Assembly too. Just days ago, on March 17, police arrested eight men in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a 35-year-old woman.
