From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: A National Commission for Women (NCW) team that arrived here on Saturday to investigate the case of molestation of a girl by on Guwahati streets by a gang of about 12-20 persons demanded exemplary punishment for all accused within six months through setting up a fast track court.
Expressing their dissatisfaction at the ‘late’ arrival of police at the crime scene, they also hit out on the bystanders who remained ‘mute spectators’ and did nothing to help and protect the girl.
The three-member team, comprising NCW member Wangchuk Syiem, social activist Alka Lamba and Hiron Moni Phukon of Assam State Women Commission, visited the crime scene , interviewed locals and also held discussions top police and district administration officials and visited the crime scene.
They will also meet Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday evening.
“She needs help to come out of the mental trauma and physical trauma. There are marks of burn injuries on her body as some of those barbaric tormentors used burning cigarettes on her. The State police DG J N Choudhury has assured her that she will be in proper protection.” She said the victim would speak before the media at a later stage as the victim herself wanted the accused to be punished, but she needed time to be ready to come out in public.
The social activist expressed her dissatisfaction at the late arrival of police in the scene and absence of women police.
“The scene is barely five minutes away from a police station. But no patrol car was in the area nor did the police receive prompt alert. Women policemen were also not present,” she said.
“We do not think the reports will be tampered, the injury marks are clear on her body. But we are dissatisfied that the reports have taken so long to come,” she added.
On possible action against the pub for allowing an underage girl to enter, Ms Lamba said those aspects will be dealt with and if needed. “The DGP assured us that the pub’s license will also be cancelled as the victim has claimed that she is of 20 years age and it is illegal to serve drinks to persons under age of 21 years.”
“We have asked the DGP to ensure better surveillance in the late hours and increase police patrolling and he has assured us to intensify night patrolling in the city at night from onwards” she added.
Expressing ignorance on allegations of involvement of a local television journalist in instigating the mob, the NCW member said, “No one has brought the matter to our attention. The girl has also not mentioned about it.”
She thanked the media for bringing out the faces of the accused and also demanded action against the ‘mute spectators’ shown in the video footages, who allowed the girl to be molested for over half-an-hour before police reached the spot.
The NCW team is likely to submit its report in New Delhi by Monday and its next course of action will be determined based on the report. The team will recommend a special fast-track court for the case that would end the trial within six months and hand down exemplary punishment to the accused.
The NCW probe team demanded better protection of women was the need of the hour not in a particular State but all over the country and also special laws to deal with tormentors of women very firmly to prevent crime against women.