Three men from Assam’s Cachar district have been arrested after two minor girls from Mizoram alleged that they were abducted and sexually assaulted inside a moving car, police officials said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Amjad Hussain Laskar, 20, from Rajnagar; Saddam Hussain Laskar, 23, from Bhaga Bazar; and Rinku Das, 25, from Khaspur, were taken into custody after the two survivors approached the Dholai police station in the early hours of August 3 and reported the alleged incident.

According to police officials, the two girls, aged 15 and 16, informed authorities that they were allegedly taken against their will and assaulted by the accused while travelling in a vehicle. Following their complaint, police initiated an investigation and arrested the three suspects in connection with the allegations.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime), Cachar district, Rajat Pal, said the two girls reached the Dholai police station at around 2:30 am and narrated the incident to officers. He said the survivors alleged that the accused attempted to sexually assault them before allegedly committing the offence despite their resistance.

“As both survivors stated that they were minors, the case was handled under the provisions applicable to children,” Pal said.

Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The charges include Section 70(2) of the BNS, which deals with gang rape involving a female minor below 18 years of age, and Section 87 related to abduction.

The accused have also been booked under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault against children.

Authorities said further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events, collect evidence, and record statements as part of the legal proceedings. Police officials are also examining other aspects of the case, including the circumstances under which the girls allegedly came in contact with the accused.

Since the survivors are minors, officials said the matter is being dealt with in accordance with child protection laws and procedures. The investigation will continue based on evidence collected during the probe and statements recorded by authorities.