Shillong, July 13: East Khasi Hills Police have issued an all-India lookout notice and constituted a special team to trace the accused in a rape case registered at Laitumkhrah Police Station.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the police were coordinating with their counterparts in Mizoram and other states to locate the accused. “With regard to the rape case registered at Laitumkhrah, we initially sent a lookout notice to Mizoram, and notices have now been issued across India. A team has also been formed to trace the accused,” Syiem said.
The SP said the victim’s statement had been recorded and that the police had received information about other possible victims. “We have come to know that there may be other victims. They will also be examined in due course,” he said.
Syiem said the police had contacted several other individuals over the phone and asked them to appear before the investigating authorities to record their statements and lodge formal complaints. “We have spoken to some more possible victims over the phone. They have been asked to come forward and give their statements and file FIRs, but that is yet to be done,” he said.
The police are also verifying allegations and claims circulating on social media. “Social media posts cannot be treated as facts. We are yet to ascertain their veracity. Only after examining the individuals concerned and recording their statements can we confirm whether they are victims,” Syiem said.
The accused’s residence in Aizawl was searched with the assistance of the local police, but he was not found there. “I am in touch with the Superintendent of Police in Aizawl. The police searched his residence, but he was not there,” Syiem said.
The SP said a chargesheet would be filed after the accused is arrested and further evidence is gathered. “Once the accused is arrested and more facts emerge, we will file the chargesheet as soon as possible. At present, the immediate priority of the police is to apprehend the accused,” he added.
