Police sources said the girl, along with friends who left Imphal in the morning reached the Lamlai area in Imphal East district on December 24 evening, to join family members to celebrate Christmas at their homes at Riso Phung hill village (Senapati district).
Riso Phung is located at the border between Imphal east and Senapati districts.
As she was walking by Napet Palli area under Lamlai police station, three youths projecting themselves as members of a militant outfit offered to escort them.
Taking chance of the dusk the three, after threatening and warding off her friends,allegedly molested the girl.
As the girl screamed, local residents rushed to her help, sources said adding that the three youths identified as Ng. Chandra, T Amitkumar and Kh Sanahal were arrested and were being interrogated after a case was lodged at Lamlai police station, the sources said today quoting delayed reports.
A sit-in protest was later launched at Riso Phung village demanding punishment for the culprits, sources said.
The incident took place even as a general strike called by some major social organisations was underway in protest against the alleged molestation of film actress Momoko by a Naga militant on December 18 last at Chandel hill district, official sources said.