Guwahati: Assam’s Chirang district erupted in protest on August 18 as citizens demanded justice for a 16-year-old tribal girl. The girl was allegedly gang-raped on July 24. A three-hour demonstration took place at Kajalgaon. The All Bodo Students’ Union and the Tribal Sangha led the call for action.
The main suspect, Nasir-ul-Hussain, met a violent end to his freedom the same day. Police took him to the crime scene for an investigation. Officers claim he attacked them and tried to run. The lead investigator fired, wounding the suspect. He now sits in a hospital under guard. Police arrested two other suspects within two hours of the initial report on August 15. The third man joined them in custody later that day.
The victim's mother alerted the Runikhata Police Station after a video of the assault surfaced on social media. Officials have since seized mobile phones to trace the recording and distribution of the footage. Investigators booked the trio under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and the Information Technology Act. They have already recorded the victim's statement and finished her medical exam.
During the demonstration, participants acknowledged the swift police work. Protesters "thanked the District Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police for the prompt arrests" while demanding that authorities guarantee the safety of women and children. Officers continue to dig into the assault and the suspect's failed escape attempt.
Updated at 18th August 2026 at 9:51pm
The victim is a Class 10 student. Investigators pieced together that the main suspect contacted the girl over social media and coerced her into a meeting. He then took her to a rented house in Chatipur, where the three men assaulted her.
Protesters submitted a formal memorandum to the Assam Chief Minister and the Director General of Police via the District Commissioner, calling for capital punishment. The demonstration drew a wider coalition of groups, including the All Assam Minority Students Union, All Bodo Minority Students Union, the All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union, and NEMSU, alongside various educational institutions.
Police identified the three suspects as 20-year-old Nasirul Sheikh, 25-year-old Pir Mohammad, and 19-year-old Harunul Hassen. Nasirul Sheikh is a resident of Bartalowa village.
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