TURA: A marauding gang of dacoits said to be from neighbouring Assam crossed over to nearby Garobadha village of West Garo Hills and looted ornaments and other valuables from three homes besides reportedly molesting women.
The incident, which occurred on the night of January 24, has left five members of a family in critical condition.
The head of one of the families attacked, Tapan Ghosh (55), has been shifted to Guwahati for medical treatment and his condition remains critical.
Family members narrated the incident on Saturday in which as many as 20 criminals armed with knives and daggers burst into their home and began assaulting them. Despite giving their valuables the gang did not spare them and continued raining blows on the victims.
The gang also raided the houses of two other neighbours, including the house of Tapan’s brother. The injured family members of Tapan include his wife Geetarani Ghosh (49), sons Taposh (30) and Rajesh (32) and a woman identified as Suchitra Ghosh (32).
Strangely, Garobadha police have so far failed to file a suo moto case into the attack even though the family could not do so as they were shifted to Garobadha health centre for immediate treatment and later to Tura.
Villagers complained that the police arrived close to two hours after the attack even though they were alerted of the incident when the attack was taking place.
The district administration has only now taken up the matter and the police higher ups have deputed an officer in the rank of a Deputy SP to investigate the incident.
DC denies laxity allegation
When contacted West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi denied the allegation that they were slow in reacting to the complaint.
The district administration is yet to confirm whether women were molested in the incident as the victims are currently undergoing treatment. “Once they are fine, we will take their statement,” Bakshi said.
Meanwhile, no one has filed any FIR in this connection and police has taken a suo moto cognizance and the matter is being investigated. The DC has also asked the district police to step up the presence of security personnel in the area.
