Protesters outside the Assam Rifles camp at Kotlien a day after the incident. (PTI)

Imphal, March 19: The Assam Rifles jawan who allegedly raped a tribal girl in Manipur’s Senapati district last week was arrested and taken into custody by police last evening.

The jawan, Nungthui Gangmei, has also been accused of trying to murder 18-year-old Nengneikim Haokip by hitting her on the head with a large stone after abusing her sexually. The girl was washing clothes at a waterfall near the Assam Rifles’ Kotlien post on March 13 when the jawan forced himself on her.

The day after the incident, a group of women went to Kotlien, where the accused was posted, to protest against the alleged sexual assault. They were, however, assaulted by the Assam Rifles personnel at the post.

The police today said Gangmei, detained at Kotlien post since March 14, was handed over to Saparmeina police personnel after the police informed his post commander that the accused was required for interrogation.

Sources said chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s concern over the incident had also led Assam Rifles to hand Gangmei over to the police.

The Assam Rifles have already instituted a court of inquiry to verify the charges against Gangmei. The authorities had initially maintained that the jawan had merely tried to outrage the modesty of the girl.

The army said the arrest and detention of the accused by the police would not hamper its inquiry. “The army court of inquiry can question him (the accused) whenever required during the course of investigation while in police custody,” military spokesperson Col Rajesh Mishra said.

After interrogating Gangmei, the police are likely to conduct a DNA test on him for confirmation of the rape. A medical examination has been conducted on the girl and a case of rape registered against the jawan.

Three tribal student organisations — the Kuki Students Organisation, the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur and the All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur — had threatened to launch an agitation, beginning yesterday, against the alleged rape. They suspended their plans for a fortnight after the army assured them that steps would be taken to punish the culprit.

The joint administrative council of government employees also condemned the alleged rape and demanded action against the culprit.

It urged the state government to take steps to prevent such incidents in future.