Teesta Bazaar, which was boiling in fury
since Friday evening after a report of rape on a three-year old child
spread, cooled down to some extent today after the accused was nabbed.
Teesta Bazaar resident Sunil Rai (35), who was missing after allegedly
raping a three-year old girl child on Friday, was today arrested by
Kalimpong police from the Hatbazaar area.
Furious over the incident, Teesta Bazaar
residents had begun demonstrating outside the local police outpost
since early morning, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. They
also blocked NH 31A for about half an hour to pressurise the police and
administration.
As the word of Sunil Rai’s arrest
spread, Teesta residents reached the outpost in large numbers. Things
tensed up for a brief period when the people were prevented from
entering the outpost premises by the CRPF. After a deadlock that lasted
nearly two hours, the police managed to take the accused, under tight
security, to the Kalimpong sub-divisional hospital for a medical
examination.
Sources said acting on a tipoff, the
police managed to nab Sunil from the Hatbazaar area around 1:00 this
afternoon. Two others, namely Prabal Pradhan and Sambhu Subba, both
residents of Teesta Bazaar, were also arrested for providing refuge to
the accused and helping him flee. The duo was presented before court and
sent to judicial custody, while Sunil will be produced at the court on
Sunday.
A case under IPC section 376 (D) and
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) act section 4 has
been registered against Sunil Rai.
Kalimpong hospital official Dr. D Sonam
confirmed the victim was sexually assaulted but is now out of danger.
Teesta residents have submitted a deputation to the Kalimpong police OC
demanding speedy investigation and strong punishment to the accused.(EOIC)