A woman, aged about 18–19, was allegedly gang-raped by four men on the evening of August 14 in Namphai Lishang village under the Jagun Police Outpost in Tinsukia district, Assam, police said, and one of the accused has since been arrested from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
Police identified one of the suspects as Akash Tamang, a resident of Karpumpuli village in Jagun. According to available information, the four men allegedly assaulted the victim on August 14; Tamang reportedly fled the area soon after the incident.
Officer-in-charge of the Jagun Police Outpost Tridip Lahon, with a police team and assistance from the Arunachal Pradesh Police, apprehended Tamang in Chowkham, Arunachal Pradesh, the authorities said. He was produced before a court, and police obtained four days’ custody for further interrogation. Investigators said they will question him about the alleged assault and about the whereabouts and possible involvement of the other accused.
Three other suspects are reported to be absconding. Police have launched a search operation to trace and arrest them and said efforts are ongoing to locate all those named in the case.
The investigation has also focused on the alleged role of a woman named Anita Anti. The victim has reportedly told police that Anti intimidated her hours after the incident and tried to stop her from revealing details of the alleged assault, and that money was offered to secure her silence. Anti is also reported to be absconding.
An unverified claim has circulated that one of the four accused is linked to a communal nationalist student organisation; the alleged affiliation and any relevance to the case have not been independently established.
Police said the probe is continuing and that all allegations against the accused are subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
