Amid tensions in Assam’s Kokrajhar over the alleged rape of a mentally challenged woman, police shot at and injured the accused on Sunday evening, saying that he attempted to escape police custody.
Kokrajhar in Western Assam has been gripped by tensions after the alleged rape on Saturday in the Pathargat area of the district. The accused, Rafikul Islam, was apprehended by police, and DC Pankaj Chakravarty said an SIT was constituted to investigate the incident.
The incident led to a flare-up of communal tensions in the district, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s district committee calling for a 12-hour shutdown in protest.
Citing “heightened public tension and apprehension of disturbance to public peace and tranquillity”, the Kokrajhar district administration imposed prohibitory orders against the assembly of more than four people and demonstrations throughout the district.
On Sunday, the district administration also convened a peace meeting with the district police and representatives of political parties, social organisations, student bodies and prominent citizens.
“The situation is being closely monitored, and necessary precautionary measures have been taken to maintain peace and tranquillity. Vulnerable areas are being identified, with steps initiated for the installation of CCTV cameras and street lights,” said DC Chakravarty.
Amid these tensions and peace measures, the accused, who was in police custody, was injured on Saturday night in what police said was an encounter, allegedly while he was trying to flee police custody
