From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said he would ask the police investigation team to probe into the role of the journalist from the a local TV channel who was on the spot recording the crime as it was unfolding.
“This was a case of unethical journalism. It is all right to film the incident as a part of his professional duty, but as part of his social responsibility, the journalist should have informed the police in time to prevent the crime.
The police investigation should probe his role. Nobody is above law,” Gogoi told media just outside the Assembly chamber here on the first day of the five-day Monsoon session.
“The media blames the government and particularly the police on all accounts but journalists have a responsible role to play in the society and in this particular case, they have failed miserably,” the chief minister added.
Assam police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SP Ranjan Bhuyan and manned by three other DSPs to probe into the heinous rime.
“I have seen reports about the prime accused Amarjyoti Kalita being in Bhubaneswar, but there has not been any confirmation of his arrest so far,” the CM added.
“Tracking of his (Amarjyoti Kalita) mobile phone has pointed to his presence in Bhubaneswar and efforts are on to catch him. Our police are in touch with the Odisha police and we hope to trace him soon,” Gogoi said.
Assam police have announced Rs 1 lakh cash award for giving information on the whereabouts of the prime accused.
Gogoi further said that he was ready to meet the victim of the molestation and was keen to ensure her rehabilitation.
Gogoi expressed surprise over the failure of the probe team of National Commission for Women (NCW) failing to meet him before their departure to New Delhi.
The chief minister also admitted that there were lapses on the part of the police in respect of preventing molestation case a and informed that there were shortage of adequate police personnel especially women police in the State.