Police have arrested one of four men accused of allegedly gang-raping an 18–19-year-old woman in Namphai Lishang village under the Jagun Police Outpost in Assam’s Tinsukia district on August 14.
According to information available, the woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by the four accused on the evening of August 14. One of the accused has been identified as Akash Tamang, a resident of Karpumpuli village in Jagun.
Following the alleged crime, Tamang reportedly fled Assam and took shelter in Chowkham in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. Jagun Police Outpost officer-in-charge Tridip Lahon, accompanied by a police team, later arrested him from Chowkham with assistance from Arunachal Pradesh Police.
The other three accused are reportedly still at large. Police have launched a search to trace and apprehend them.
After producing Tamang before a court, investigators obtained four days of police custody for further questioning. Police are expected to examine his role in the alleged assault and gather information about the whereabouts and involvement of the other accused.
Police are also investigating the alleged role of a woman identified as Anita Anti. According to the victim’s statement, Anti allegedly threatened her several hours after the incident and tried to prevent her from reporting details of the alleged assault. She is also accused of offering money to the woman in an attempt to persuade her to remain silent. Anti is reportedly absconding.
Meanwhile, an unverified claim has surfaced alleging that one of the accused is linked to a communal nationalist student organisation. The alleged association, as well as any possible connection between it and the crime, has not been independently verified.
The investigation remains underway as police continue efforts to arrest the remaining accused and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence. All allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and due judicial process.
