In a disturbing case that has sparked local outrage and protests, a 63-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping an 11-year-old Hindu girl in the Jamaldah area of Mekhliganj, Cooch Behar district. The accused, identified as Enamul Miyan, reportedly threatened the minor Hindu girl with a sharp weapon before committing the assault.
The incident occurred on 22 January, Thursday when the victim, a Class 6 student, was collecting firewood near the Jamaldah riverbank. According to reports, the accused, whom the girl affectionately referred to as “grandfather” and who was a neighbor, lured her under the pretext of showing her firewood and then threatened her with a weapon before the attack. A local woman witnessed the scene and intervened, causing the perpetrator to flee.
The girl’s family initially hesitated to file a complaint due to threats from the accused, but they lodged a formal report on Saturday at the Mekhliganj police station. Police arrested Miyan shortly after, and a case has been registered under relevant sections of the law. The victim was medically examined, and investigations are ongoing.
News of the arrest triggered protests in the area on Saturday night, with locals blocking the state highway, burning tires, and pelting stones at police. The officer-in-charge of Mekhliganj police station sustained minor injuries during the unrest, and several protesters were detained after police used batons to disperse the crowd.
This case has raised concerns about the safety of minors in rural areas and highlighted ongoing issues of communal harmony in the region. Authorities have urged people to remain calm while assuring a thorough probe into the matter. The incident echoes similar reports from West Bengal, where crimes against minors have drawn widespread attention and calls for stricter enforcement.
