Kajalgaon, Aug 17: A rape accused was injured in police firing after he allegedly attacked a constable and attempted to flee while being taken to recreate the crime scene in Assam’s Chirang district on Monday. The accused, 20-year-old Nasirul Sheikh of Bartalowa village under Kajalgaon police station, was shot in the right leg and is undergoing treatment under tight security at JSB Civil Hospital in Kajalgaon, the district headquarters.

“We have arrested three persons in connection with the crime. The primary accused is Nasirul Sheikh.

We took him to recreate the crime scene. When he attacked one of our constables and tried to flee.

In retaliation, the investigating officer fired one round on his leg and successfully recaptured him,” Chirang SSP Dhruba Bora said. A doctor treating Sheikh said he is stable, but further medical examination would determine the extent of his injuries.

“He was shot on the right leg and the bullet has traversed the leg. He has been given a drip.

He is stable, but blood is oozing from the wound. We will know more about his condition after further medical examination,” the doctor said.

The firing took place in connection with the alleged gang rape of a Class 10 tribal girl by three youths in Kajalgaon. Police said the incident occurred on July 24.

According to the investigation, Sheikh, who was reportedly in a relationship with the minor, allegedly lured her to Kajalgaon and took her to a rented house at Chatipur. He and two others, namely Pir Mohammad, 25, and Harunul Hassen, 19, allegedly raped the girl there.

Police said the accused allegedly recorded the incident and threatened to circulate the video if the girl informed her family or the police. The video was subsequently allegedly uploaded and circulated on social media.

After the video surfaced, the girl informed her family, following which a complaint was lodged at Bengtol Police Outpost under Runikhata Police Station. Chirang Police subsequently arrested all three accused.

They were taken into three-day judicial custody on Wednesday as the investigation continued. The case has triggered strong reactions in the district, particularly over the alleged sexual assault of the minor and the circulation of the video.

Meanwhile, the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) has demanded stringent punishment for the accused and called for an encounter. Speaking to the press on Monday, a member of the students’ body said the authorities should ensure exemplary punishment.