Assam police arrest man for allegedly holding 13-year-old girl captive

SILCHAR: A 22-year-old man has been arrested in Assam’s Sribhumi district for allegedly holding a 13-year-old girl captive for three days, an incident that subsequently triggered mob violence resulting in the burning of his residence. The accused was taken into custody on Friday evening, a day after the minor was rescued by police following a formal complaint lodged by her family.

The sequence of events began on the night of October 20, when the girl was allegedly confined at the accused's house. She remained at the location for three days until police intervened and rescued her on Thursday. Acting on an FIR filed by the girl's family, law enforcement officials raided the premises, secured the minor, and dispatched her for a mandatory medical examination. Following the incident, the accused reportedly fled the area and remained absconding until his arrest on Friday evening.

As the details of the captivity became known to the public, local residents gathered outside the accused's property. According to police sources, the crowd's anger escalated, leading some protesters to set the house on fire. The flames quickly spread to an adjoining structure, ultimately gutting both buildings. Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services were promptly deployed to the location to extinguish the blaze and prevent further damage.

Prior to the arrest, the incident had already sparked public unrest. Earlier on Friday, members of Hindu organisations staged a protest to demand the immediate apprehension of the accused. The demonstrators blocked a PWD road passing through the village for several hours, causing significant disruption to local traffic. The pressure from these community groups highlighted the intense local demand for swift legal action in cases involving the confinement of minors.

The escalation from a criminal complaint to vigilante property destruction presents a challenge for local law enforcement, as authorities must simultaneously manage the criminal investigation and prevent further mob violence. The destruction of the accused's residence by an angry mob shifts the immediate focus from judicial proceedings to public retribution, complicating the maintenance of law and order in the district.

Sribhumi Superintendent of Police Leena Doley reached the affected spot with a police team to restore peace. Addressing the media, Doley confirmed that the situation was under control and that a case had been officially registered against the accused. The police are now conducting a dual investigation into the alleged captivity of the minor and the subsequent arson and road blockades by the mob.