From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Even as the raging protest against the incident of molestation of a girl by an Indian Army at Dimow in Sivasagar district has forced Assam government to offer a job for the victim.
The Army authority has issued a statement assuring the agitating organisations to hand out punishment to the guilty after holding trial in an Army court.
The Army has requested the protestors to have patience during the process of the trial which takes some time.
The incident that happened at Panidihing Dolpa village under Dimow police station in Sivasagar district on July 13 last sparked a mass agitation led by Assam Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU) and several women organisations who demands exemplary punishment to the accused Army jawan identified as Anil Kumar Upadhyay.
The jawan was arrsted by the police before handing over him to the Army.
In an open letter issued by the GOC of Indian Army (the DAO Division) said that the Army court would definitely punish the guilty within a short time and the girl would get justice.
The GOC stated “I can understand your anguish against the molestation case; crime against women must be curbed and exemplary punishment given to the culprits. I would go further to state that this should be done ‘fast track’, as justice delayed is justice denied.
“It is to ensure speedy justice that we took over the case from the civil court. Unlike the normal court process, in the Army a court is formed to try a particular case thus ensuring speedy justice. We abhor such crimes against women and never condone it. It is against our ‘Kshatriya Dharma’ .
“ In this case the guilty is currently in our unit lock-up and, within one week of taking over the case, our enquiry has been completed. Judicial process has commenced to begin trial against the guilty. This would begin as soon as the sanction is received, which should be with us in a very short time.
“ We will then start with framing of the charge(s) against the guilty, wherein the statements of the witnesses and the accused would be taken again. These are legal documents that are needed for trial, which would start thereafter. I, as the head of the DAO Division, assure you all that, the guilty will not be spared, and the girl will get justice.
“In these trying times, I request my brothers and sisters not to take any step that would help anti-national and anti-social elements in creating further disturbance and law & order problems.”