TURA, Jan 5: A 37-year-old man from South Garo Hills has been arrested for allegedly assaulting, with intent to rape, a 19-year-old girl from his village on the eve of New Year.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of December 31, 2022, when the victim was returning home after attending a New Year Watch Night Service. After the incident, an FIR was subsequently filed at Silkigre Police Station.
Interestingly, while in the FIR it was stated that the victim was raped before she was assaulted, the father of the victim, when contacted over phone, stated otherwise.
According to the father, her daughter was returning home after attending the Church service when one Jimpaith Ch Sangma alias Jime, who was well-known to the victim, took her by the hair, got on top of her and started raining blows on her.
“When my daughter asked him why he was doing this and that he was well known to her, he started raining more blows. It was only after some passersby heard her screams and rush to the spot that he left her and fled the scene,” the father said, adding that attempt to rape might have been the reason for the attack.
Meanwhile, police informed that the victim, who, as per the FIR, received broken teeth and a blackened eye, was medically examined and referred to Tura for further treatment.
“The accused has been arrested and forwarded to judicial custody. A cognizable offence has been registered and the matter is under investigation,” police added.