A 22-year-old Bhutanese woman residing across the border in Jaigaon was allegedly raped by a non- Bhutanese man in front of her sister around 5am on April 25.

The suspect is at large. The women lodged a complaint at Jaigaon Police Station the same day and Jaigaon police are on the lookout for the suspect, Kuensel learnt.

The two sisters lived at a rented room across the border.

The suspect had allegedly broken into the house using a rod. He allegedly threatened the older woman with a knife, raped her sister and fled.

Kuensel met the house owner of the room the women occupied. The house owner said she learnt about the incident only after the women informed her.

“They were decent and simple girls,” the house owner said. “They had jobs in Phuentsholing.”

The house owner also said that the victim, the younger sister, had come to live with her sister this month. The elder sister had been renting the room for about two years, she added. They paid Nu 2,500 a month as rent. The women are no longer staying at the room.

Kuensel sources said that the medical examination for the victim has been conducted. She has been sent to Alipurduar district court to give a statement.

There are more than 3,000 Bhutanese living across the border in Jaigaon. Most of them are from low-income group and since finding affordable housing is difficult in Phuentsholing, Bhutanese choose Jaigaon for cheaper rents.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

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