Silchar, Jan 29 (PTI): A 30-year-old woman was allegedly raped in front of her two children, following which acid was poured on her, police said on Wednesday.

The horrific incident happened in the Dholai police station area in Assam's Cachar district, they said.

The accused, a 28-year-old driver, is a neighbour of the family. He barged into their house, raped her in front of her two children, poured acid on her and escaped, police said.

After returning home, the husband found his wife's hands and legs tied.

The incident happened on January 22 and a case was filed the next day, police said.

The woman was admitted to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, and her condition was stated to be critical.

A search was underway for the accused who has been on the run since the day of the incident, police said.

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Bengaluru, Feb 17 (PTI): Amid speculations about leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said it is for the Congress high command to decide.

There have been talks in the state's political circles, especially in the ruling Congress party, about a chief minister change later this year, under a "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" formula.

"It is for the high command to decide," Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question on discussions about leadership change.

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, is a strong chief ministerial aspirant and has made no secret of his ambition to become the CM.

There have been time and again attempts by a section of party leaders and workers to project Shivakumar as the next chief minister.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Minister Rajanna asks Shivakumar not to 'misuse' AICC, high command's name

There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.

A section of party leaders, especially ministers considered close to Siddaramaiah, have been pitching for him to complete the full term as chief minister, stating that he was indispensable to the party if it wanted to retain power in the next election. These activities are notwithstanding Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's warning last month asking his party colleagues to 'shut up' and focus on governance, amid public statements from them on the leadership change issue.

A section consisting of ministers from SC/ST communities had even held dinner meetings last month, which was seen as an attempt to revive the demand for a Dalit or an AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) to become the next chief minister, in case Siddaramaiah demits office.

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