South West Garo Hills district police made the ninth arrest from Hatsingimari, Assam today in connection with the Chenga Benga Mela rape incident involving minors.
It may be noted that yesterday, the main accused in the case was also arrested by police from Teporpara Bazaar, Assam.
Both were produced in court today which remanded them to four days of police custody.
In a statement issued today, South West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police, Vikash Kumar said based on the information related to abduction, criminal intimidation, assault, and gang rape of minors on April 16 at Chenga Benga Mela, a cognisable case vide Ampati Women PS Case No 09(04)2024 under Sections 376D/323/341/506/34 IPC read with Section 5(g)/6 of POCSO Act has been registered and is being investigated.
“Incriminating evidence was collected from the scene of crime and based on the statements of the survivors, medical examination reports, and other evidence, nine accused have already been arrested till date. All the arrested accused are residents of Teporpara village (Assam) located near the scene of crime and the arrests have been made with the assistance of South Salmara district police. Seven mobile phones have been seized from the possession of the arrested persons, and the data were analysed meticulously, the police said,” Kumar said.
He also said that during the course of investigation, it was learnt that the criminals had snatched a mobile phone from one person and also, threatened and extorted money from another person. In this connection, two cognisable cases vide Ampati PS Case No. 36(04)2024 under Sections 392/323/506/34 IPC, and Ampati PS Case No. 34(04)2024 under Sections 341/395/384/506 IPC have been registered and are being investigated.
“Investigation in all these cases is going on and all the other accused shall be arrested soon. We appeal to the citizens to inform the local police, if they have any information about the criminals involved in these cases. Their identity shall be kept secret,” Kumar added.
