Four minor girls have been allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by 12 men from a neighboring village in Meghalaya's South West Khasi Hills (SWKH) district igniting widespread condemnation and protests across the region.
The police reported the harrowing incident, which has sparked outrage among local organisations and communities.
The case came to light on Wednesday through a press statement issued by the Khasi Hills Zone (KHZ) unit of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and the SWKH unit of AHAM (Achik Holistic Awakening Movement) on Tuesday. The groups condemned the incident, demanding swift action and justice for the victims.
According to G Kharwanlang, the Superintendent of Police for South West Khasi Hills, medical examinations confirmed that one of the four minors had been raped, and investigations are ongoing. However, no arrests have been made so far.
Kharwanlang clarified that there was no kidnapping angle, stating that the accused and the victims were part of the same picnic group. Further details about the circumstances of the alleged crime remain undisclosed.
Outrage over the incident and perceived police inaction led various organisations, including the Garo Students' Union (GSU), All Khasi Hills A'chik Federation (AKHAF), AHAM, and the Women's Organisation, to hold a meeting and rally on June 12. They demanded justice for the victims and the immediate arrest of the culprits, identified as a group of 12 men.
The incident occurred around 7 pm on Friday, after which the minor girls went missing. The girls were found on Sunday following a frantic search by their family members, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR).
“We strongly condemn the heinous and despicable act of gang rape of four minor girls that recently occurred under the jurisdiction of Nonghyllam Police Station in SWKH. This reprehensible act has no place in our society, and it is with deep sorrow and outrage that we express our solidarity with the victims and their families during this immensely challenging time,” the GSU and AHAM stated.
The groups emphasised the need for swift justice, urging authorities to handle the case with utmost seriousness and efficiency. “The culprits must be brought to justice without delay to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of all members of our community. It is imperative that the police leave no stone unturned in their investigation and utilize all available resources to ensure justice is served. The swift apprehension and prosecution of the offenders are crucial to restoring faith in our legal system and sending a clear message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated,” they asserted.
Tengku Marak, vice president of the GSU, revealed that the four minor victims were lured by the group of men under the pretext of attending a birthday party and were subsequently gang-raped.
"We strongly condemn this heinous and despicable act and urge the police to act and arrest the culprits. If no action is taken, we will take our own course of action," Marak warned.
Superintendent of Police GD Kharwanlang assured that the matter is under investigation, with multiple versions being examined to ascertain the facts.
“No arrests have been made so far,” he noted, adding that the medical examination report is awaited.
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