A man accused in a rape case was shot in the leg on Sunday after he allegedly attempted to escape from police custody in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, officials said.
The accused, identified as Rafikul Islam of Dhubri district, was being escorted by police to the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court when the incident occurred. According to police, he tried to flee custody during the transit and allegedly attempted to snatch a firearm from one of the escorting personnel, forcing the police to open fire in self-defence. A bullet struck him in the leg.
Two police personnel also sustained injuries during the scuffle, officials said, adding that their condition is stable. The accused was initially taken to the Kokrajhar RNB Civil Hospital and later shifted to Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
Islam was arrested earlier in connection with the alleged rape of a mentally challenged woman in the Patharghat area of Kokrajhar. The incident had triggered widespread public outrage and protests across the district, including a 12-hour bandh, with demonstrators demanding strict action against the accused.
In view of the tense situation, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and deployed additional security forces at sensitive locations to maintain law and order. Police have also held peace meetings with community leaders and representatives of various organisations to prevent any escalation.
Senior police officials said an inquiry is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the firing. Authorities have appealed to the public to remain calm and not to spread rumours, assuring that the case is being handled strictly in accordance with the law.
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