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| Sunil Rai, accused of raping a minor, after he was arrested. |
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.
Source: EOI
