GUWAHATI: Garo organisations of Goalpara district have demanded stringent action against the perpetrators of alleged assault on a group of Garo women during a plantation drive at Matia Garopara village under Matia police station on Saturday.
The women, all residents of Matia Garopara, have lodged an FIR at Matia police station against eight to nine men, who they allege, outraged their dignity by “misbehaving and inflicting physical injury”.
They alleged in the complaint that the men had initially threatened some youths against carrying out the plantation drive and subsequently had an altercation, following which the women, who were working a paddy field nearby, intervened, only to be assaulted by the agitated men.
They further alleged that the men threatened to burn their houses.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, frontline Garo organisations, including United Garo Autonomous Council Movement Committee, All Assam Garo Gaonbura Association and Garo Students Federation of Assam, condemned the incident and requested authorities to take immediate action against the perpetrators of the alleged attack.
The women claimed that the land where the plantation drive was conducted by the Paschim Matia Youth Welfare Association is under Matia Garopara village where plantation drives have been carried out before.
Matia police station sources said the matter was under investigation. Meanwhile, a counter FIR was also filed against the women in regard to the incident, police said.
The women, meanwhile, have written letters to the Union home minister and the chief minister “seeking justice” against the alleged attack. They have also intimated the National Commission for Women, Assam State Commission for Women and the Goalpara district administration demanding necessary action.