Assam: Titabor murder of college girl highlights rising crimes against women

Guwahati: In a horrifying case that has jolted Assam, Jagat Singh, a 63-year-old man from Titabor in Jorhat district, has been arrested for allegedly raping, impregnating, and later murdering a 19-year-old college student to conceal her pregnancy, police said.

"I was on the spot and can share the details only after some time." Subhrajyoti Bora, SSP, Jorhat (SSP official contact number:6026900672), told Northeast Now.

“The accused has confessed to the crime during interrogation. We are collecting all scientific evidence to ensure a watertight case and deliver justice at the earliest,” a senior police officer said.

The victim, a first-semester student of Nandanath Saikia College, had gone missing on November 7, triggering panic among her family and friends.

After a three-day search, police recovered her half-decomposed body from a toilet tank located behind the accused’s shop. Investigators confirmed that the victim was seven months pregnant, and the accused had allegedly killed her to hide the crime.

Following the discovery, the Titabor locality witnessed massive protests, with enraged residents vandalising the accused’s shop and demanding strict punishment. Protesters also accused local police of negligence in handling the missing person complaint. Reportedly, the Officer-in-Charge of Titabor Police Station has been placed under reserve clause, and a departmental inquiry has been ordered.

Police authorities have assured that the case will be fast-tracked under the relevant sections of rape and murder. “We will pursue the case till the harshest punishment is awarded,” said another official.

However, this brutal case once again exposes the growing threat of crimes against women in Assam, a challenge that continues to test the efficiency of security agencies. Despite government efforts, incidents of rape, harassment, and domestic violence remain alarmingly frequent.

A women's rights activist commented, “Every time such a tragedy occurs, we demand justice. But justice must go beyond punishment; it must mean safety, awareness, and respect for women at every level of society.”