A minor girl died after she was allegedly gangraped and set on fire by three men at Dhaniabheti Lalung Gaon in Nagaon district, police said on Saturday, 24 March.
One Zakir Hussain and four others raped the class five student when she was alone at home after returning from school on Friday, they said.
After committing the crime the rapists poured kerosene oil on her and set her ablaze. The girl died this morning at BP Civil Hospital in Nagaon, Assam, where she was admitted in a critical condition.
The police are looking for Zakir Hussain and his associates. Of the three accused, two are juveniles and are currently in police custody, while the third accused is absconding, The Indian Express reported.
The Indian Express quoted the Nagaon SP, Shankar Raimedhi as saying, “We have taken her dying statement and she had identified the three accused. Of them, we have arrested two of the accused. They are both minors. They have been produced before the juvenile justice board and action is being taken against them as per law.” He also said that the minor knew her as they were neighbours.
Angry locals attacked Zakir Hussain's house in protest, while students from the girl's school and the All Assam Students Union (AASU) demanded arrest of the accused.
Silchar MP Sushmita Dev criticised the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government for its inability to check rising incidents of rape.
This is the second recent incident of gangrape in Nagaon. Earlier eight people were arrested in connection with the alleged gangrape of a 35-year-old woman.
(With inputs from PTI)
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