By Preetam BC

Kokrajhar : Concerned over the rising incidents of attack on women and girls in Kokrajhar and demanding proper investigation into the reported cases, Assam Social welfare and Soil Conservation minister Pramila Rani Brahma led a a torch light rally in Kokrajhar town this evening.

Hundreds of women, students and local residents participated in the protest rally which started from flyover near MRM hospital and marched through the street of Kokrajhar town via Civil Line, DC office to Circuit House.

Kokrajhar district, including town areas have witnessed a series of incidents targeting women and girls belonging to a particular ethnic indigenous tribal community since last August. An organized group of criminals has been creating terror in the mind of women and girls. The criminals forcefully enter the living space and make the victim unconsciousness using sprays, and in some cases the miscreants outrage the modesty of women including rape and molestation, even filming the act of sexual violence and releasing it in social media in some instances.

Last evening the miscreants targeted two minor girls spraying some chemicals leaving them unconscious at Sonapur and Dharamtol villages in Kokrajhar district.

According to police, the girls were studying in their rooms when the miscreants sprayed chemicals from outside making them drowsy. The girls managed to shout, alarming the families before becoming unconscious.

The first incident happened at Sonapur village about 9 PM and the second at nearby Dharamtol village at about 9.15 PM.

The victims are presently undergoing treatment at Rupnath Brahma Civil Hospital, Kokrajhar. They are stated to be out of danger, but suffering from drowsiness.

Three persons have been picked up in this connection. They have been identified as Mukesh Ray, Nehru Baruah and Haren Baruah from Patgaon. One  TVS Scooty Streak (Black) with Regd. No. AS-16B/6601 belonging to the goons have been recovered from the spot. Cases are being registered and further investigation is on.

 

Minister Pramila Rani Brahma have expressed serious concern over the rise in crime against women and girls in the district. She also suspects political motive and angle behind these incidents to create communal tension in the BTAD region ahead of the BTC election scheduled early next year 2020.

The minister demanded proper investigation into the reported cases and also called upon all to be alert.