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Community Outrage in Raha

Raha, June 18: Protests have escalated in Raha after the body of a 13-year-old girl was discovered near Diphlu in Nagaon on Tuesday, igniting widespread tension and anger in the community.

Family members and local residents have suggested that the motive behind the girl's death may be linked to 'love jihad', which has further fueled their outrage and demands for immediate justice.

On Wednesday, the protests gained significant traction as members of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) from both Raha and Nagaon district united with locals to hold a large rally, insisting on the harshest penalties for those involved.

The demonstrators passionately called for justice for Pinky Das and urged for a fast-track court trial to expedite the judicial process.

A major concern among the protesters was the perceived lack of action from law enforcement. "The police have not made any progress in the investigation despite several days passing since the girl was reported missing on June 11," lamented one protester, reflecting the frustration shared by many.

Pinky's parents, who participated in the protest, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister via the Raha Sub-Divisional Police Officer, directly appealing for action. "Her body was discovered near Diphulu Shiva temple tiniali. We urge the CM, as the home department falls under his jurisdiction, to impose the strictest punishment," a protester emphasized, highlighting the urgency of their plea for justice.

Pinky, who lived in Dighaldari village under the jurisdiction of the Raha police station, had been missing since the evening of June 11. Her body was located by locals along the Nagaon-Naltoli State Highway, close to the Diphalu Shiv Mandir Tiniali.

Witnesses reported that the girl was found wearing a frock, with visible injuries on her face and neck, raising immediate suspicions of abduction, sexual assault, and murder.

After the grim discovery, the Nagaon Town Itachali police outpost was notified, and officers promptly arrived to recover the body, which was subsequently sent to the Nagaon Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. It was there that Pinky's devastated parents identified their daughter on Tuesday morning.

The community's anger boiled over on Tuesday night, as family members and villagers staged a fervent protest outside the Raha police station, demanding "the death penalty for the perpetrator", reflecting their deep-seated outrage and insistence on justice.

In the meantime, the Raha police have detained three young men in connection with the case. Identified as Badiur Zaman, Azizul Haque, and Abu Hanif, all three are construction workers and were arrested at a construction site.

Police sources have indicated that Abu Hanif has been transferred to Nagaon for further questioning, suggesting a potential lead in the investigation.

Family sources revealed that Pinky had been in contact with a young Muslim man from Nagaon town, who worked as a mason in their village. This connection has fueled the 'love jihad' narrative among locals, intensifying calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pinky's tragic death.

The community remains steadfast in their quest for justice, vowing to continue their protests until accountability is achieved.