Postal department clerk A Medhi had gone to the house of the woman at around 2.30 pm in Gandhibasti locality of the city to hand over a packet containing an ATM card sent by her bank, police said.
The woman, who is in her 20s, was at home with her brother, while her husband was out. The brother was taking bath at the time of the incident.
The clerk handed over the packet and then, presuming her to be all alone, caught hold of the woman and tried to rape her. The woman also fought back, police said.
Hearing the lady's shouts, her brother came out of the bathroom. Noticing the brother, the clerk fled from the spot.
When news of the incident spread, locals from the Gandhibasti area gathered at the Silpukhuri sub post office where Medhi is employed.
They went on the rampage and smashed furniture, police said.
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A case has been filed against Medhi at the Chandmari police station but he is still at large. Police have started a manhunt to arrest him.
Meanwhile, Medhi has been suspended from his job by the postal department.