Thousands of residents from Assam’s Karbi Anglong district came out to the streets on Monday, demanding justice for six-year-old girl, who was brutally raped and murdered. The mass protest was led by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam Karbi Anglong District Committee (AASAA-KADC), Adivasi Jani Sakti Sangati, and several other organisations. The protesters calling for the death penalty for the accused, identified as Ranjit Basumatary, also known as Babu.
According to police reports, the minor girl, a resident of Amrajan under Bokajan Police Station, went missing on June 22. Her body was discovered the next day, confirming she had been sexually assaulted and murdered. This incident has sparked widespread grief and outrage across the district.
A massive road procession was held, beginning at the AASAA-KADC office and culminating at the minor girl’s residence in Amrajan. People from diverse communities participated in the rally, carrying placards and banners demanding swift justice and the harshest punishment for the perpetrator. The protesters also expressed solidarity with the grieving family.
Addressing the gathering, Anil Toppo, Chief Advisor of the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (Central Committee), said, “This is a crime that shakes the conscience of our society. We demand the strictest punishment to ensure justice for Ayushi and to deter such atrocities in the future.”
Following mounting public pressure, Bokajan Police arrested Ranjit Basumatary on June 24 and registered a case against him at the Bokajan Police Station. While the arrest marks an important step in the legal process, protest leaders and civil society members have stressed the need for a transparent and time-bound trial.
The protest has not only highlighted the community’s demand for justice in this particular case but also reignited conversations about the safety of children and women in the region.
