Communal Tension in Kokrajhar as Hindu Groups Protest Over Rape Case, Accused Injured in Police Firing

New Delhi: Communal tension has flared in Assam’s Assam’s Kokrajhar district after the Vishwa Hindu Parishar’s (VHP’s) call for a 12-hour shutdown in protest of the alleged rape of a mentally challenged woman. The state police on Sunday (January 11) shot and injured the accused in what it termed as an “encounter”, reported Indian Express.

Officials said that Rafikul Islam, the accused, had tried to escape police custody when he was shot and injured. An SIT has been constituted to probe the incident, said Kokrajhar DC Pankaj Chakravarty.

The Kokrajhar district administration has imposed prohibitory orders citing “heightened public tension and apprehension of disturbance to public peace and tranquillity”. As per the orders, the assembly of more than four people and demonstrations throughout the district have been barred.

A peace meeting was also convened by the administration on Sunday 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 Chakravarty.

Accoriding to the police, the victim, who often wanders roadside areas, was allegedly lured to a shack at the camp on Saturday, where she was raped. Attempts were also made to suppress the crime, said officials, reported The Assam Tribune.

During Sunday’s bandh called by the VHP, shops, markets and business establishments remained shut, with public transport staying largely off the roads.

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