TURA: Another case of rape of a minor by a distant relative has been reported in West Garo Hills.
A 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her brother-in-law at Chokdenggre village of Tikrikilla on the night of Christmas. An attempt was made to keep it under wraps. However, the incident came to light on Thursday when villagers and a local students’ union took up the matter.
The village headman (Nokma) along with elders met the girl’s family on Thursday. The victim revealed that the brother-in-law, Honeybee K. Sangma, had taken her to an isolated place near a church at Chokdeng A’bri and raped her. The incident took place around 11 pm on December 25.
The villagers caught the man and tied him inside the house but the accused managed to escape at night.
A complaint was lodged with the help of the village elders and the students’ union only on Friday at Tikrikilla police station.
This is not the first case of sexual assault reported during the festive season in Garo Hills. A similar case of rape of a minor was reported involving a police constable from Dimapara police outpost in South Garo Hills during a pre-Christmas celebration on December 23. The party was organised by the Dimapara police infiltration check point personnel.
The constable, Minhoi Lawai, was arrested on the day the FIR was filed by the victim. He has been remanded in judicial custody and the trial is on.
