A rape accused identified as Rafikul Islam was shot in the leg by police in Kokrajhar district after he allegedly attempted to escape custody on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions following his arrest for the alleged rape of a mentally challenged and orphaned woman, which sparked widespread public outrage and protests across the town.

According to police accounts, Rafikul Islam was being transported to Kokrajhar when he requested a stop to use the toilet. During the halt in the Ranighuli area, he reportedly snatched a weapon from the escorting officers, attacked them, and tried to flee. In response, police opened fire to prevent his escape, injuring him in the left leg. Two Kokrajhar police personnel also sustained injuries to their hands and legs during the scuffle. The accused was initially treated at Kokrajhar RNB Civil Hospital before being referred to Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital for advanced medical care.

The accused, a laborer from Chapar in Dhubri district working at a road construction site under the Assam Agency in Patharughat, was arrested on Saturday, January 10, 2026, shortly after the alleged crime. The victim, described as an orphaned woman with mental disabilities who often wanders the streets, was reportedly lured to a temporary shack at the labor camp near Patharughat under Kokrajhar Sadar Police Station limits around 9:30 AM. The incident triggered immediate public anger, with residents protesting near the police station, blocking roads, and demanding strict punishment for the perpetrator.

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The situation in Kokrajhar, the headquarters of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), remained tense throughout Sunday. The World Hindu Federation's Kokrajhar District Committee called a 12-hour bandh starting at 6:00 AM, which brought normal life to a near standstill, with shops, markets, and public transport largely shut down. Demonstrations and road blockades were reported, particularly in sensitive areas like Ranighuli, as residents expressed outrage over the heinous crime against a vulnerable individual.

To maintain law and order and prevent further escalation, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Authorities have urged calm while emphasizing that the investigation into both the original rape case and the escape attempt will proceed thoroughly. The episode highlights the challenges of handling high-profile sensitive cases in the region amid strong community sentiments. As the investigation continues, officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure peace prevails in Kokrajhar.

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