Minor’s death: 4 arrested so far; Post mortem terms “death due to drowning,” finds no evidence to confirm rape

A minor’s dead body was recovered from Madhuraghat in Silchar. She has been identified as a resident of Tapoban Lane in Silchar. According to her father, she was missing since Sunday evening. Yesterday, after her body was found floating in the river, locals of the Ashram Road area alleged Rony Das was behind the abduction and murder of the minor. Her father accused, “Rony Das along with six others gang-raped the minor child.”

Protesters vandalised Rony Das’ house burnt his motorcycle, resorted to pelting stones at security personnel. They even stopped the general public’s motorcycles and damaged them.

According to Police sources, the preliminary post mortem report found “drowning” as the cause of death. Moreover, according to the report, there was no forensic evidence available to establish “rape” or “gang-rape”. The forensic report did not find any sign of intoxication or substance abuse either.

“We are waiting for the forensic reports. So far, we have arrested four individuals related to the case and the matter is under investigation. The reports we have received so far suggest that it was death due to drowning. The reports and evidence suggest there was no sign of rape, however, we are waiting for more reports,” said Ramandeep Kaur, Superintendent of Police, Cachar.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli has issued an order to enforce 144. “There is likelihood that the breach of peace may spread to other parts of the city and district and therefore, it has become an immediate necessity to prevent such sporadic occurrences,” states the order issued by the deputy commissioner.

Following restrictions have been clamped:

1. No assembly of five or more persons be formed at any public place or throughfare for the aforesaid purpose.

2. No meeting procession or demonstration be organized at any public place.

3. No person shall move in public places carrying arms as defined under Section 4 of the Indian Arms Act, 1818 or Lathi or any other weapon or instrument, which can be used for the purpose of assault or intimidations.

4. No person shall move about carrying explosive or defined under Section 4 of the Indian explosive Act, 1884 in any public place.

5. No person shall spread rumour to the public which may lead to any untoward incident. This order shall come into force with immediate effect and remain in force until further orders.

“In view of the urgency of the matter this order has been made exparte and shall apply to the areas of Ashram Road and National Highway Byepass Road, Silchar and will remain in force until further orders,” states the order.

Despite the order, a huge crowd gathered outside the SP Office in Silchar demanding death sentence for the culprits of the minor’s murder.