The Assam Police have detained two people and are looking for a third man for allegedly raping a Class 5 student and then setting her on fire in the state’s Nagaon district. The girl died of her injuries at a hospital on Friday night, Northeast Today reported.
The three people allegedly attacked the girl inside her home in Lalung village, reports said. Two of them are minors.
The girl’s death sparked protests on Saturday, with villagers attacking the home of a man identified as Zakir Hussain, the prime accused in the case, The Shillong Times reported. Hussain has been missing since the crime.
Some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders blamed immigrants from Bangladesh for the rape and murder. Mrinal Kumar Saikia, the BJP MLA from Khumtai constituency, alleged the crime was “planned and executed by Bangladeshi immigrant Muslims in the state, who have become a major threat to the society here”. He said, “Such Talibani acts must be reciprocated the same way.”
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!