The body of a five-year-old, suspected to have been raped and murdered, was recovered from a forest near Dariyabasti village in Hojai district of Assam on Thursday morning.

Hojai police have arrested Bikram Harijan, also known as Chandan, 25, on the basis of circumstantial evidence and statements of eyewitnesses.

The victim had gone missing on Wednesday afternoon. She was last seen with the accused, a resident of the same village.

When the girl did not return home, her family launched a search.

Her blood-soaked body was found on Thursday morning. Locals informed the police who then reached the spot.

Hundreds of villagers laid siege to the police station where the body was brought and demanded justice.

“We want the culprit to be hanged till death. There should be a clear-cut message that the perpetrators of heinous crimes shall not be spared with normal punishment,” a villager said, echoing others.

Magistrate Jangmir Rongpharpi said the culprit would be punished.

The police said the situation was tense but under control. Investigations are on.

The body has been sent for autopsy.