Itanagar: The hostel warden-cum-teacher, who allegedly raped 14 minor girls of a private school, was today remanded to police custody while IGP Garima Gupta rushed to Likabali area in West Siang district following mounting tension in the area.

Vipin Wisvan, who allegedly raped the girls for the past three years, was produced before a local court and remanded to police custody for 14 days.

Meanwhile, IGP Garima Gupta rushed to Likabali area this morning following mounting tension in the area, official sources said.

Angry locals damaged two vehicles and furniture of the school while police had to open fire in the air to disperse agitators who had gheraod the police station demanding the rapist to be handed over to them for ‘public trial’ Wednesday evening, West Sinag SP S C Yadav said.

The Officer incharge was injured as he was hit in the face and referred to State Hospital, Naharlagun, he said.

West Siang Deputy Commissioner M K Sahoo said “we have recommended to the state government to constitute a four-member medical board with forensic expert to conduct medical examination of the victims.”

The SP had persuaded the agitators to call off an indefinite strike in the town following a meeting with the civil society.

The agitators were demanding capital punishment to the culprit and arranging a team of medical experts within two days to conduct test, besides accommodating all students in another school.

They have threatened to launch agitation if the administration failed to address their demands within two days.

Terming the Likabali sexual assault case a “rarest of the rare crime,” the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) today said the accused should be awarded punishment commensurate with the crime.

A team of All Arunachal Pradesh Studemts’ Union (AAPSU) visited Likabali and held meeting with victims’ families, general public and administration.

The Union has placed a two days’ ultimatum for bringing medical and forensic experts, thorough enquiry, granting of financial assistance to the victims and helping the remaining 400 students to get admissions in other schools. It also appealed to the Bar Council not to take up the case of the accused. (PTI)