In a tragic incident that came to the fore on Tuesday, a minor girl died after giving birth to a child in Assam’s Barpeta.

According to reports, the girl had been raped and forced to give birth to a child. The incident took place at the Barpeta Medical College and Hospital.

This comes a day after the Assam government initiated a major drive against child marriage across the state. The 13-year-old victim hailed from Bhuskuli village under Rangsai police station in Goalpara district.

The minor girl had reportedly been sexually abused around seven months ago. On January 22, she gave birth to a child at Goalpara Civil Hospital. However, the child also died shortly after birth.

When the girl’s health deteriorated, she was transferred to Barpeta Medical College where she succumbed during treatment.

The family members informed that the victim had been raped seven months ago. They named the accused as 40-year-odl Jug Sangma, who had intimidated her into not revealing about the rape.

However, the family chose to come forward after the accused allegedly threatened to kill the victim.

Following her demise, people in her neighbourhood Rangsai in Goalpara have reacted strongly and came out in support of the family.

Meanwhile, the family lodged a complaint at the Rangsai police station naming the accused Jug Sangma, however, police have not taken anyone into custody yet.

Earlier on January 4, a three-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a minor boy in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. The incident was reported from Jaypur at Naharkatia. The accused minor boy was arrested by local police soon after the incident.

According to information, the victim girl was rushed to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) for medical attention. Meanwhile, angry locals have demanded strict action against the accused minor boy.

Last month, a minor was raped by an 80-year-old man in Guwahati city. The incident took place in Datalpara where the 3-year-old girl was lured by the elderly man on the pretext of offering her chips and raped her. Later, the victim’s father revealed that the accused used to visit their home often.