Two girls, aged 14 and 15, were dragged into a forest and gang-raped by eight men for hours until they passed out after going out to celebrate Holi in India.
The eight men, aged between 19 and 22, and the two girls had gone out on Monday to celebrate the festival together in Khowai, Tripura, but then did not return home in the evening.
According to the Times of India, their families did not contact the police when the girls did not arrive home on Monday night.
Instead, the eight men allegedly took the girls into a nearby forest and gang-raped them until they passed out.
The victims only returned home on Tuesday morning suffering from injuries. The two girls were taken to the hospital where they continue to be treated for their injuries.
After narrating their ordeals in the hands of the group of men, the girls’ parents contacted the police, leading to the arrests of Bimal Debbarma, Soyel Debbarma, Michael Debbarma, Nishit Debbarma, Biresh Debbarma, Jagu Debbarma, Bikash Debbarma and Hrishit Debbarma (men they knew from their local area).
A Police officer, who confirmed the incident said: ‘The accused took the girls to a forest and gang-raped them through the night. When they passed out, the men left presuming them to be dead.’
The eight men accused of gang-rape will appear before a magistrate on Wednesday.