A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped by three men in Assam’s Nagaon district, sparking massive street protests. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma promised that tough action would be taken against the perpetrators.

The girl was allegedly attacked and raped by three men around 8pm on Thursday as she was cycling home from school in Dhing area, police said.

Three people came on a motorcycle and surrounded the girl, who was then allegedly raped and injured by them and left unconscious on the side of the road near a pond. The Class 10 student was later rescued by locals who informed the police.

She was initially taken to a health centre in Dhing and later shifted to a hospital in Nagaon for treatment and medical examination.

“The criminals who dared to commit such a heinous crime against a minor Hindu girl in Dhing will not be spared by the law. I have directed the DGP and Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika to rush to Dhing and take strictest action,” Sarma told reporters in Hailakandi.

Sarma claimed that after the Lok Sabha elections, “a section of members of a particular community have become very active and have been encouraged to commit such crimes. However, we will take tough action against the perpetrators and no one will be spared.” In the last two months, 22 such crimes against women have taken place and this is the 23rd such incident in the state, he added. “In lower and central Assam and Barak Valley districts, where the tribal population has become a numerical minority, they live in constant fear. People outside these regions cannot fathom this harsh reality,” he said.

The Prime Minister called on everyone to be sensitive to the concerns of the indigenous population.

“We should identify the real perpetrators behind these heinous crimes and not limit ourselves to blaming individual groups within Hindu society,” Sarma said.

Police said one person had already been arrested and another was being detained while a manhunt for the others was ongoing.

DGP GP Singh reached Dhing and visited the crime scene along with district police officials.

Meanwhile, on Friday morning, people from all walks of life took to the streets and demanded the arrest of the perpetrators.

Shop owners closed the shutters of their stores and social and political organizations demanded strict action against the perpetrators and safety for women and girls.

The situation in the area was tense and police patrols and vigilance were increased.

Earlier, Sarma had stated that “the horrific incident in Dhing involving a minor is a crime against humanity and has shocked our collective conscience.”

“We will not spare anyone and will bring the culprits to justice. I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to visit the spot and ensure swift action against such monsters,” Sarma posted on X.