Guwahati: A student of Tezpur University in Assam's Sonitpur district was allegedly molested by a homeguard on the campus around 11.30pm on Sunday.

Students alleged that Bodai Das, a homeguard of Assam police, who was deputed to the university two months ago, molested the girl when she was going to her hostel with a friend after attending Techxetra, the annual cultural event organised by engineering students of the university.

"First we heard a student was raped but later the girl who was accompanying the victim said it was an assault," a student of the university said.

"As the news spread, students took to the streets and demanded immediate action. Some of them closed the main gate and sat in front of it when six police personnel tried to leave the campus with the homeguard, whom they had taken in their custody. Some of them also partially damaged a police vehicle. As the situation spiralled out of control, some students and authorities stepped in. They also filed a complaint with the police. District administration officials also gave a written assurance to the students that an instant probe would be conducted into the matter," he added.

Subham Pandey, a former office-bearer of Tezpur University Students Council, said they would launch a protest if action is not taken within three days. "The district administration will be responsible for any kind of loss," he added.

The council lodged a complaint with the police through the registrar of the university.

Sonitpur deputy commissioner Monoj Kumar Deka said an inquiry has been ordered.

Sonitpur additional superintendent of police Numal Mahatta said the accused had been arrested and booked on charges of molestation. He added that the homeguard had claimed innocence saying that the girl had fallen down and he was trying to help her.

Despite several attempts, the university authorities could not be contacted.

The Tezpur unit president of All Assam Students' Union, Nitul Bora, condemned the incident and demanded an immediate probe into it.