On Sunday, January 11, 2026, Kokrajhar district in Assam came to a halt as a bandh was called. This protest followed the alleged rape of a mentally-challenged woman in Patharghat on January 10. The accused, from Dhubri district, was caught within hours. Police said he tried to grab a policeman's weapon and flee while being escorted to court, leading to firing. The accused was hit in the waist and taken for advanced medical care. Two policemen were also hurt in the scuffle. The World Hindu Federation called the shutdown. Markets and public transport stayed closed. Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to keep law and order. Extra forces guarded sensitive places. District Commissioner Pankaj Chakravarty urged calm and said, "The district administration was closely monitoring the situation and had taken necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquillity." He announced a Special Investigation Team to probe the crime and stressed installing CCTV cameras and streetlights in vulnerable zones. A senior officer said, "While escorting him this evening from Rani Ghuli to the Kokrajhar court, he wanted to go for a toilet break. Then, the accused reportedly snatched a weapon from an accompanying policeman, tried to assault him and flee." He added, "In retaliatory firing, the accused sustained a bullet injury in the waist. Two policemen were also injured in the scuffle." A peace meeting was held with political and social group leaders to avoid escalation. Officials warned against spreading rumours and urged people to report misinformation to the district control room. Kokrajhar, home to many communities, was called on to unite for peace and progress.