Ananya Lohia , Assam - An eight-year-old girl was found dead in a forest in Assam's Sribhumi district on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, leading to the arrest of a local male suspect. The horrific crime has sparked massive public outrage, intense protests, and the immediate suspension of a local police official for alleged negligence.

The eight-year-old minor went missing around 10:00 AM on Wednesday after stepping out of her home to play. Following an intense search by family members, her body was found hidden inside the bushes on a forested hillock close to her home in the Madan Mohan area. The victim's family filed a FIR alleging abduction, rape, and murder. Police confirmed that the girl was brutally killed. The local suspect, identified by media as a young man, initially pretended to know nothing and even rode pillion on the victim's father's motorcycle to assist in the search.

Local residents grew suspicious, tracked down the suspect, and thrashed him before handing him over to the authorities. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Tribhuvan Bhuyan, the accused confessed to the murder—claiming it was revenge against the girl's father—but denied the sexual assault allegations.  An autopsy report is currently awaited to verify the rape. Hundreds took to the streets and blocked roads in protest against the incident.

Police have launched a detailed investigation and are awaiting the postmortem report, while residents continue to demand strict action and justice for the eight-year-old victim.