Father arrested for raping minor daughters

A man in Kharkutta in North Garo Hills of Meghalaya arrested on Thursday for allegedly raping his minor daughters, a delayed police report said.

The accused identified as Mithunjoy Marak, 40, was arrested on October 15 for allegedly raping his two minor daughters - one six-year-old and another 13-year-old. He is presently in police custody.

The raped elder daughter (step daughter) for several months, but was witnessed by his wife, while the six-year-old was raped on September 30, said police report, adding that she gave up when he raped his own six-year-old daughter.

Initially, his clan members tried to strike a compromise, but the victims' mother filed an FIR against her husband leading to his arrest.

"It is shameful that maharis (clan members) tried to hush up a heinous act, which is unpardonable. The accused should be punished," said Samgar Sangma, an activist based in Tura.

Earlier, the accused was pardoned by maharis for raping his elder daughter.

"After the mother filed an FIR at Kharkutta police station, we immediately arrested the accused. We were informed about the heinous act by some people of the area as well," said Raghavendra Kumar, Superintendent of Police, North Garo Hills.