Tezpur: An accused, arrested along with another person for allegedly attempting to molest two girls, was shot at and injured while trying to escape from police custody on Saturday in Assam's Sonitpur district, police said.
The duo had allegedly attempted to molest the two girls who were out on an evening walk here on Friday and as they raised an alarm, the local people rushed to the spot.
The accused attempted to flee from the spot but the people chased and nabbed them, Sonitpur Additional Superintendent of Police Madhurima Das told reporters here.
They were later handed over to the police at the Mahabhairab police station, she said.
The youth while being taken to the incident site for investigations attacked the police, seized a pistol from a policeman and opened fire, the official claimed.
The police retaliated by firing back and the accused was injured in one of his legs.
He is currently undergoing treatment at the Tezpur Medical College and Hospital and his condition was stated to be stable, Das said.
The two girls have filed an FIR and the police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), she added.
A group of local residents had surrounded the police station protesting against the incident.
Meanwhile, in Tinsukia, a man was arrested for allegedly attempting to molest a teenage girl in Sripuria area of the town.
The locals reported the matter to the police and a search operation was launched to nab him.
He was arrested along with another accomplice on Friday.
A case has been registered under both the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the BNS.
Published 24 August 2024, 09:33 IST