Man lynched for rape bid on school teacher in Assam

GUWAHATI: RAJEN KURA ALLEGEDLY DRAGGED THE TEACHER TO NEARBY BUSHES AND WAS TRYING TO RAPE HER WHEN HER CRIES FOR HELP ALERTED

THE VILLAGERS

A 35-year-old man was lynched to death by a mob in Sonitpur district of Assam after he allegedly tried to rape a teacher, police said on Tuesday, in the latest sexual assault on women teachers at government schools that have raised questions about their safety.

According to the police, the incident took place Monday morning at Rakshasmari Bhelaguri village in Sonitpur district, nearly 135km north from the state capital Dispur.

“The 26-year-old teacher, a resident of Morigaon district who was recently appointed to the area, was walking to her school located nearly 2km away from her rented accommodation when the attack took place,” additional superintendent of police Sonitpur Numol Mahata told the HT.

Rajen Kura allegedly dragged the teacher to nearby bushes and was trying to rape her by tearing off her clothes when her cries for help alerted villagers.

“Nearly 50 people gathered at the spot and started beating the accused with sticks and kicked him. By the time a police team reached the spot, Kura was badly injured,” he said.

The accused was taken to a nearby hospital from where he was referred to another at Dhekiajuli where he succumbed to injuries on Monday evening.

The police have registered a case and are conducting investigations. No one has been arrested yet. Monday’s incident is the latest sexual assault on women teachers at government schools, who are posted away from their homes, and have raised questions about their safety.

Earlier this month, three other teachers complained of misbehaviour and sexual harassment by their colleagues and residents of the places they were posted in.

In May, a 58-year-old teacher in Nagaon district was raped and killed by unidentified persons while returning from her school.