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Students protest in front of Nagaon Sadar police station on Friday against the alleged rape of a Nowgong College student by an ADP College professor. Pictures by UB Photos
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Nagaon, Oct. 12: Hundreds of college students staged a protest here today against the alleged rape and attempted murder of a student by a professor last night.
Police today arrested Pranjal Hazarika, 35, professor of political science at Anandaram Dhekial Phukan College, for the alleged rape of a third year student of Nowgong College who used to take lessons from him. He was remanded in 14 days’ judicial custody after being produced in the court of the chief judicial magistrate, Nagaon. The victim’s family had lodged a complaint with Nagaon Sadar police station last night. The girl was admitted to Nagaon civil hospital.
A member of Nowgong College Union claimed that the girl had gone to the professor’s house after he called her over telephone. “He raped her, severely assaulted her and tried to force her to consume poison when she tried to flee. Fortunately, one of her friends reached the place and he freed her. The girl then went home and informed her family. She was later brought to the police station.”
The victim told reporters in the hospital today, “He called me over telephone and I went to meet him at his residence. What happened at his residence was unbelievable.”
Hundreds of college students took out a procession through the heart of the town. They submitted a memorandum to Nagaon deputy commissioner P. Ashok Babu and also gheroed Nagaon Sadar police station, demanding security for girl students.
The deputy commissioner said he had assured the students of taking all possible measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents. “I have also assured them that justice will be done,” he said, adding that the police have been instructed to take necessary measures.
Nagaon additional superintendent of police (headquarters) Singharam Mili said investigations were on.
“The victim is undergoing treatment. We have ordered a special medical examination and the matter will be clear once the medical report reaches us,” Mili said.
Hazarika denied the allegations, saying it was a conspiracy hatched by the girl to malign him. He told reporters that everything would become clear once the medical report was made available.
A source close to the victim said the professor had maintained relations with the girl since long. “But it was only recently that she came to know that he was married with a family,” he said.
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