High alert in Assam, Nagaland after mob lynches alleged rapist

Security forces in the north eastern states of Assam and Nagaland have been placed on high alert after a mob lynched a rape accused in Nagaland capital Dimapur earlier this week.

The Central Government has reportedly sought a report from the Government of Nagaland on the incident.

Reports said that the mob had broken into the prison where the rape-accused was being held and dragged him out on to the streets naked before lynching him and hanging his body from a clock tower.

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang was quoted by television channels, as saying that he has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. The state government has also suspended the Collector and the police chief of Dimapur District.

The Army has reportedly been placed on standby in both Nagaland and Assam. The Nagaland Government has also sought the assistance of paramilitary forces to restore normalcy in the region.

So far, one person, suspected to have been part of the mob that pulled the alleged rapist out of the prison, has died of injuries that he had sustained when police opened fire, and five others have sustained injuries in the police action. An estimated 2,000 people reportedly took part in the lynching incident.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that he has asked senior officials to take appropriate action.

Nagaland Chief Minister Zeilang described it as a very unfortunate incident.