Police say perpetrators could be from Assam
AMPATI, April 21: In an absolute shocker, two minor girls from South West Garo Hills (SWGH) were sexually assaulted by a gang of miscreants on April 17, in separate incidents, leaving the entire Garo Hills in a state of shock.
As per police reports on Sunday, the two minors had gone to the annual fair at Chenga Benga along with two friends. Both parties that were assaulted were unknown to each other but were allegedly assaulted by the same gang of suspected criminals at the same spot.
The incident took place at about 9:30 pm on April 17 near the venue of the fair. Three separate FIRs have been registered in the case at the Ampati police station.
“These are two separate incidents altogether as the two minor victims did not know each other. The first minor went along with her friend (a minor boy) a little away (300 metres from the fair venue) near the paddy fields. It seems the perpetrators of the crime lay there in wait and immediately pounced on them,” informed SWGH Superintendent of Police, Vikas Yadav.
The gang got hold of the duo and assaulted the boy with such force that he lost consciousness. They then also beat up the girl and she too became unconscious after which she sexually assaulted by the perpetrators. Since she had lost consciousness, she could not make out the numbers of assaulters, police said.
Later, another minor with her friend (also a minor boy) went to the same place where the same gang lay in wait for them.
“It seems they were lying in wait to perpetrate a crime. It could be either to loot or sexually assault but they sensed their opportunity and took advantage of the dark and the situation,” added the SP.
In the second case, the minor boy was tied up before being beaten while the girl was also physically assaulted. She however did not lose consciousness and recollected the perpetrators taking advantage of her, one by one.
“After the perpetrators left the scene, the first group regained consciousness and being utterly confused about what took place set each other free and left for home. The next day their family registered three FIRs. The perpetrators, as per the victims, spoke in Bengali. An investigation into the matter is currently on and we are hopeful of a breakthrough,” informed Yadav.
The area where the incident took place falls very close to the border with Assam, with the suspects likely, hailing from the neighbouring state, police said.
“We are not making assumptions but we will hopefully get a breakthrough in the coming days. The matter is extremely serious and sensitive so we are being cautious and thorough,” asserted the SP.